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No problem. To answer the last question of yours, no you don't need to wash it. In fact, do NOT wash it, despite what the instructions on the bag says. It'll turn to mud if you try to wash it. Just place in the tank dry and fill with water slowly. It will get cloudy. But your filter should clear it within 24 hours or so. but not as cloudy as when you wash it first. Try not to disturb the FSS too much as you'll stir up a dust cloud. Some people love this substrate. It works for them. But as you try other brands of substrate, you'll find may other terms to describe FSS ;)