Adding new sand

[BlindZide]

I am wanting to add another bag of sand to my tank. I was looking at black or light pink sand, I haven't decided yet. If I decided to do this, should I add a little at a time or can I add the entire bag? I was thinking it would be the same as adding live rock but wasn't sure.

 

[RAG_83]

Yes you can add the entire bag at once, your tank will be cloudy for a day and your skimmer is going to go crazy but it should not affect your livestock

 

[ca1ore]

Make sure to rinse it really well prior to putting it into the tank. If you have a length of 4" PVC you can use it as a chute to pour in the sand. Will still be cloudy, but not terribly so.

 

[thegrun]

I would not put down more than 1/2" max once a week, or you risk smothering the organisms that live in the top of the sand bed. Be sure to wash the sand well before adding it. I use a clean new oil change funnel to place the sand. Be sure to turn off all pumps when adding the sand to reduce the cloudiness.

 

[BlindZide]

Sweet. I will be sure to rinse it and add a little at a time to decrease the chance of killing the bacteria. I guess my main worry was a mini cycle again.

 

[BIGD0G]

Great tip using the oil funnel to add the sand. I can see several benefits for this.

 

[Griznock]

how deep is the existing sand bed? how deep are you planning to go?

 

[Glaucus_atlanti]

Rinse the sand, then wash it, followed by a few more rinsed. No matter how well you rinse it it always seems to cloud.

 

[BlindZide]

how deep is the existing sand bed? how deep are you planning to go?

Right now its shallow, maybe an inch. Not deep at all.