[Melanie]

Well, today's job of cleaning the tank and sump and tubes is done! It is now on my lanai (fancy word for back porch in Florida) air drying.

I figure now is a good time to repaint the stand and tweak the squeaky door since the tank is empty and off of it. I may never have that good of an opportunity again. I'll have to do that tomorrow because I'm actually feeling a little sick today and I don't want to overdo it.

I have a couple of questions:
1. When should I put the live sand in? Right before the live rock (once it's cured) or should I put water and sand in while I'm waiting for the rock to cure?

2. Can I put my plastic rocks and synthetic corals in the tank while I'm waiting for the live rock to go in? I guess I'm saying it will look a little boring with just water while I'm waiting. The fake corals will spice it up.

3. My sump is flat on the wood floor of the stand. Can I add an egg crate under it to allow for water evaporation if any splashes down there? Or do you have a better suggestion?