A deep sand bed for my Hadonni

[matty0206]

So I have realized how much I really like this green carpet anemone that I got a few months ago and I would like to try and replicate it's natural habitat if I can. I am wondering if it would be possible to move all of my rock to one side of my tank and add enough sand to the empty side to create a deep sand bed? This guy is very healthy but I don't think he is to happy not having any sand. I am thinking something like this:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=96989

Here is how my tank is set up now:


I would get rid of a few of the rocks and while I am at it, the 2 BTA's I have as they don't play nice with the carpet anyway.
My 2nd option would be, move the island in front of the carpet, pour new sand in around the carpet then put the island back on top of the sand. My problem with this is I am afraid the carpet would stay in the back corner and I would never see it.
Would there be any negative side affects of doing this? I know I would probably cover the life that is in what little sand I have but would the critters filter back up to the top or just die underneath, I have a ton of spaghetti worms, pods, and other worms in my minimal sand bed.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Daniel62]

1 of the reasons he is in the back corner is because that is where the least amunt of flow probably is. They really don't care to be ruffled to much LOL. as for the sand issue, if you move all the seeded sand over to one side, then you will keep most of you good sand guys. Then add your new sand to the other side. Be sure to rinse your new sand well and then maybe bag it in some type of sock and let it soak in your tank for a few day to start getting it inoculated with some microbes.

Good luck, I love these guys. Also be aware that they will eat your fish, if given the chance. What size tank is this by the way?

 

[matty0206]

1 of the reasons he is in the back corner is because that is where the least amunt of flow probably is. They really don't care to be ruffled to much LOL. as for the sand issue, if you move all the seeded sand over to one side, then you will keep most of you good sand guys. Then add your new sand to the other side. Be sure to rinse your new sand well and then maybe bag it in some type of sock and let it soak in your tank for a few day to start getting it inoculated with some microbes.

Good luck, I love these guys. Also be aware that they will eat your fish, if given the chance. What size tank is this by the way?

They are awesome creatures for sure. I think it being in the corner actually might be because of my old lights, I just switched from Led's back to T-5's. For some reason he never adjusted well to the Led's and would always hide in the cave, as soon as I switched the lighting he popped up back there and has been out and happy. I keep my Mp-40 at about 20% mostly for him, I don't have any SPS so I don't need much flow.
I am going to do this in a slow process. I like the idea of moving the existing sand over, I have a ton of life in what little sand I have and would hate to lose it. I was also going to let the sand soak in some water change water after I rinsed it very thoroughly with a heater and some flow and then add it all at once. Would adding a small scoop of my sand to it help?

 

[bues0022]

If you are planning on it being a slow process, I would just do the sand slow also. After a good rinse, add in maybe 1/2" on top of what you already have (where you want deeper sand). Let that settle in for a bit, then repeat every few weeks until you build up to what you want. (Note, I've never tried this, but others have mentioned it working for them.)

On a side note, eventually the sand will mostly work its way level. If you start with, say 6" on the right, and 2" on the left, you might end up with 4" on the right, and 3" on the left.

 

[Winwood]

Why not just pull a few rocks, add some sand to the middle, and make it the centerpiece of the tank?

 

[lightning whale]

since it is in the back you could get a pvc pipe big enough to hold the anemone and fill it with sand. the pvc won't be showing and you could easily remove it when ever you want.

 

[matty0206]

Both good idea's. The only problem with making it the center piece is it's size. Fully expanded it is about a foot across but I might be able to move the island apart and get enough room. It certainly would be easier to put the sand there.