Sand related questions

[WackyInsertions]

I'm in the process of upgrading my 10 gallon community tank to a 20 gallon, only this time I'm using sand. I bought a penguin 170 biowheel filter (I believe it's the one that says 'for aquariums up to 50 gallons') because I heard that sand can be a pain in the butt and needs a powerful filter. Well, when I mounted the filter, the suction part comes about an inch off of the sand. Is this going to be a problem (and potentially ruin my filter because it's catching too much sand)? I've read that you can put a sponge over the tube, but that seems to defeat the purpose of a filter entirely.

Also, I swear by BioSpira (the bacteria in a bag stuff). That in mind, would it be a bad idea to use that instead of poisoning feeder fish to establish the tank since it's sand? I guess my ultimate question is does it take a certain amount of time for the sand to be fish-ready, perhaps beyond when the loose sand settles?

In case it's going to come up later, I plan to have 5 cory cats and other assorted mid-dwellers.

Thanks.

 

[Allivymar]

I just started a 10g planted tank with sand/laterite. I've a Penguin 125 (?) in there as well (the one smaller then the 170), and while I started a fishless cycle, I jump started it about halfway thru with Bio-Spira (ammonia was disappearing overnite, nitrites were at 5 ppm, nitrates at 10 pmm prior to the Bio-Spira). Added it, did a big water change the next day, and I've 2 very happy gouramis in there now with only nitrates showing. The filter does not pick up any sand at all; I just have to be careful when I gravel vac.