Just trying to get some thoughts on adding a deep sand bed(5") to an existing system. I've read the article in Coral magazine but it didnt really get into weather the tank inhabitants (fish)should be removed or not. And with a dsb and mp40's am I asking for trouble on a 180g 24" tall tank ? Thx for any feedback.
adding a dsb
- Thread starter sgosse
- Start date
Froggy
Reef "Hobbyist"...right!?
Do you have an existing sand bed now that is shallower or are you bare bottom now?
If you have an established shallower sand bed you should only add a 1/2 inch of new sand at a time every day or two to give the existing sand fauna time to migrate to the upper levels of sand where they live. Do this until you reach your desired depth of 5-6 inches. By going a 1/2 inch at a time, you will prevent smothering the life already in your shallower sand bed.
If you are bare bottom now and want to install a new DSB, just add the sand to the desired depth. I would turn off all flow during the install and use a PVC tube as already suggested. I would also use a medium grain sand like the "special grade reef sand" to help with it blowing around. You will probably have to reduce your flow for a while also while the sand bed ages. The sand will blow around less once it gets a coating of bacteria on it. New sand will blow more until this happens. Adding a filter sock temporarily will also help clear the tank of the fine suspended particles quicker.
There is no need to remove the fish IMO.
- Joe
If you have an established shallower sand bed you should only add a 1/2 inch of new sand at a time every day or two to give the existing sand fauna time to migrate to the upper levels of sand where they live. Do this until you reach your desired depth of 5-6 inches. By going a 1/2 inch at a time, you will prevent smothering the life already in your shallower sand bed.
If you are bare bottom now and want to install a new DSB, just add the sand to the desired depth. I would turn off all flow during the install and use a PVC tube as already suggested. I would also use a medium grain sand like the "special grade reef sand" to help with it blowing around. You will probably have to reduce your flow for a while also while the sand bed ages. The sand will blow around less once it gets a coating of bacteria on it. New sand will blow more until this happens. Adding a filter sock temporarily will also help clear the tank of the fine suspended particles quicker.
There is no need to remove the fish IMO.
- Joe
I went slower than that: I used a combo of automobile oil funnel into 2" pvc to drop dried rinsed sand into a pile in one corner of the tank. Let the fish smooth it out. Another pile, etc, repeat ad nauseam. Doing great now, never had a glitch or any issue but a little cyano, which the watchman couple straightened out on their own. The improvement in the tank is gratifying. The fish are happier and so is everything else. More microlife.
The article in Coral magazine suggested removing the old substrate, which is 1 to 2 inches now, and replace with new. To get a thriving sand bed it said to use grain size no bigger than 1mm and preferably smaller. I guess the biggest concern I have is the sand storms I would no doubt have. I suppose I could turn the mp40's down but I do like the standing wave setting. Hey Downbeach, what size grain are you using ? I do like the idea of the filter sock and do have room for one.
downbeach
New member
Here's what I used:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+9805+7321&pcatid=7321
Activated with this:
http://www.ipsf.com/reefworms.html
Both the live sand activator and the reef worms diversity package.
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