Adding Sand back to SPS tank

[Stackemdeep]

After winding up a long slow battle with Cyano I need to add back some of the sand that I lost over the last 5 months. I would appreciate it if any folks who have done this could share their experience. It is not something I have to rush to do and am planning to do it a little at a time using pvc pipe and a funnel.
Questions:
What is the best size of sand to avoid a sandstorm in a 70x flow tank?
Avoiding so called "live sand" best?
Best method of rinsing to eliminate the fines and dust cloud?
Can mini cycle or bloom be completely avoided?
Any particular brand a best choice to avoid harming my sps?
Is it ok to add about a quart container at time?
Would you only do a small area at a time or broadcast and slightly mix in with existing sand?

Current Sand bed is 1 to 2" except for fairly large area in center which is close to BB now.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ormet]

I have done this, twice, to a SPS filled 65g tank. Because i can never decide between bare bottom or sand bed

Using Korallenzucht KZ Coral sand Aragonite 3-5 mm that i gave a quick rinse in RODI.

It's "dead" totally inert sand that have a minimum of dust. It stays put in heavy flow. I experienced no cycle since it contains no dead biological matter like the "live" sand does.

I added everything at once, slowly, using a funnel.

I have no idea if my method and sand used is "best" as i suspect that is up to taste but i hope it might help!

 

[Voodoo Corals]

did you ever find out how you got cyno?

 

[trueblackpercula]

I think this will really help you
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2361052

 

[Stackemdeep]

did you ever find out how you got cyno?

Culmination of things: switched salt to red sea blue, over fed when dosing some carbon and aminos, vinegar in kalk, let cuc slide when wrasses were snacking on them and had a powerhead go down and was slack replacing. Fixed everything but still had battle after 12 weeks or more. Finally went back to Seachem reef salt and that seemed to turn the tide. Go figure. I don't do chem or lights out, just ground out the cleaning chores and was patient. Now just small traces in the rubble. Always have run GFO and Carbon. Never had any battles with any pest algae in the 3 years tank has been up.

So you can see I'm gun shy about adding some sand and starting a new problem. Cyano can wear ya down.

 

[Voodoo Corals]

Thats crazy, glad it worked out.

 

[Stackemdeep]

Thank you Ormet. KZ sand appears difficult to find in the states. I will hunt down something similar. True's thread opened my eyes regarding sand beds. Never really gave it any thought.