Adding more sand?

[Kh23]

How many pounds of sand should I have in a 55 g tank? I'm wanting to add more sand to my existing tank. I know that I should probably use dry sand and let my existing sand seed the sand that I'm adding. But when adding it do I just add the new sand on top? Do I mix it together? And also will it kill my nassarius snails?

 

[tomreefer]

how much sand you have now? there is a calculator on reefcentral. I would have sand between 1-2" no more. I would add sand slowly like 1/4" every couple of days..

http://reefcentral.com/index.php/sand-bed-calculator

 

[jrr98002]

IME there is no steadfast 'rule' as to how many pounds of sand you need. It really depends on the look you want. Some people go 0 pounds (bare bottom) to enough pounds to make a 4-5" or even deeper layer if it suits them. As far as adding the sand, you should probably be ok with just adding it on top and letting things work from the bottom up into the new sand, but giving it a little stir will speed the seeding process up somewhat. It should not kill your snails.

 

[drillsar]

here you go basic rule:

Bare bottom -- No sand, lol

Shallow Sand bed 1-2"

DSB 4-6"

So if you want it just for looks go with 1-2" if your looking to achieve a DSB 4-6" is needed..

 

[drillsar]

with that size tank I would try to achieve like 1.5 -2" of sand so like 50 - 55lbs of sand should do it

 

[shifty51008]

with that size tank I would try to achieve like 1.5 -2" of sand so like 50 - 55lbs of sand should do it

I agree and as stated add the sand slowly over a couple of days in patches and let the snails mix it up.

 

[JMorris271]

You may want to wash the second batch to help it keep the tank clearer.
I have been there and forgot to do that.