Adding live sand to a cycled system...?

[PuckHucker]

I have about 130 gal system with a 50 gal Low boy frag tank that currently only has saltwater in it, but is part of the system...(drains into an 80 gal rubbermaid, then sump, and tees off to fuge) I originally planned to run the frag tank bare bottom, but have decided to add a sand bed instead. Will I be able to add "live sand" without a small cycle? I only have my CUC and a 6line so far with a couple softies. Or will the cycle be small enough not to worry about?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mcgyvr]

Adding well rinsed dry sand would be the best..
Why do you want to add live sand?
There is no point in adding live sand to an established system.
There is already bacterial populations in the tank that will quickly colonize dry sand making it live in no time..

Adding live sand may be ok though but it may also cause a small ammonia spike if the amount of decaying organic matter is greater than the tank can quickly/safely process..

If you have live sand already purchased I'd just recommend washing it really well
If not just buy dry sand and again rinse it well to remove any fines,etc.. that will cloud the water..

 

[PuckHucker]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

I assumed that live sand would be best since it would essentially be able to process itself rather than starting with dry. I understand your point, and I did not think of that. So, the dry sand will not cycle but will continue to add bacteria as it forms in the tank? I knew I should have paid more attention in science class...

 

[moonyrat]

will dry sand for freshwater aquarium ok to be added in to an established tank? if not what dry sand do you recommend.

Adding well rinsed dry sand would be the best..
Why do you want to add live sand?
There is no point in adding live sand to an established system.
There is already bacterial populations in the tank that will quickly colonize dry sand making it live in no time..

Adding live sand may be ok though but it may also cause a small ammonia spike if the amount of decaying organic matter is greater than the tank can quickly/safely process..

If you have live sand already purchased I'd just recommend washing it really well
If not just buy dry sand and again rinse it well to remove any fines,etc.. that will cloud the water..

 

[NikonN8]

will dry sand for freshwater aquarium ok to be added in to an established tank? if not what dry sand do you recommend.

I've always been a fan of dry aragonite. Whatever you do, don't use "Hermit Crab sand" or something else not intended for use in an aquarium.

(Ask me how I know...)

 

[mcgyvr]

Yep..dry aragonite is typically the best..
Caribsea special grade reef sand is the minimum (and pretty optimal) grain size I would recommend...anything finer and you cant have that much flow in the tank without it blowing all over

 

[mcgyvr]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

I assumed that live sand would be best since it would essentially be able to process itself rather than starting with dry. I understand your point, and I did not think of that. So, the dry sand will not cycle but will continue to add bacteria as it forms in the tank? I knew I should have paid more attention in science class...

Correct...dry sand is clean and will not introduce a bunch of organics into the tank. And it will quickly turn "live" as tue existing bacteria spreads and grows on it...

 

[PuckHucker]

Dry it is! Thank you for the information.:beer:

 

[rfgonzo]

Adding sand you could also be adding silica that could cause a diatom bloom.

 

[NikonN8]

Adding sand you could also be adding silica that could cause a diatom bloom.

Especially so if you cheap out and get sandbox sand from a hardware store. Again, aragonite, preferably a little coarse, or at least a good mix of particle sizes.