Setting Up New Sand Tank

[phantomlink]

I'm just finishing up setting up the 67 gallon tank with sand, and the water is going to be cloudy overnight. What I wanted to know if I keep my old filter media in a bucket overnight with old water if they will be ok so I dont turn my filters on and possibly damage them slightly with all the bits of sand going around the tank. I know as long as they dont dry out the bacteria will live, just didnt know if having the filters turned on did anything special for them

 

[Aquascaper]

The constant water flow is what they need to 'wash' the ammonia and nitrites over them, if you have a small powerhead or can turn the filters on in the bucket that would be best but if it's just overnight you should be fine. I had an external turned off (but still full of water) standing for two days and it was ok, just watch for a possible mini-cycle when putting it back in the tank. Water changes to sort out the mini-cycle will help clear the water anyway.