Adding Sand to Established Reef?

[Rovert]

What are the dangers of adding another inch or two of sand to my existing reef? My sand bed is a bit too shallow, and I'd like to bump it up a bit more, but I'm worried about a mini-cycle.

Your thoughts? Should I leave well enough alone, or is it alright to go ahead and add a bit?

 

[alan214]

I did just that the other day and didn't seem to have any serious problems. Some of the corals retracted a bit but recovered very quickly.

 

[Rovert]

Can you be more specific on how many is "just the other day"? Also, are you tracking your water parameters?

I ask, because if the tank is going to spike on ammonia or nitrites, it won't happen for perhaps a week or so, if I'm not mistaken.

Granted, with the LR and other sand, it might just be absorbed by the rest of the biomass, but I want to be sure I'm not screwing myself and risking my animals.

Thanks!

 

[alan214]

It's been 3 days and there has been no ammonia spike yet.

 

[Rhodesholar]

I have done it couple times with no problems.

I read an article that the only problem with adding sand is adding to much and burying things. Other then that, the inverts and fish are acclimated to the dust cloud new sand will create and it causes no harm. Here is an excerpt from an article on the matter written by Dr. Ron Shimek:

>>>To put a sand bed in an established tank, remove any gravel or crushed oral, and then add the new sand, about an inch at a time. Don't worry overly much about the cloudiness in the water, reef animals are adapted to this and will be able to tolerate it easily. In a new tank, simply put all of the sand you need on the tank's bottom, add water and place your live rock in or on the sand. There is no need for any sort of platform to support the rock. I embed the live rock a bit into the sediment to give it stability.>>>>>


Here is the link to the article which is a great read for anyone interesting in DSBs.

http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep Sand Beds.htm

 

[the other tang]

I have dont this as well but went slow. I did approx. 1/4 of the bed at a time, over a couple weeks. I saw no level spikes.

 

[Rovert]

Thanks, guys.

I guess what I'm worried about is what happens chemically when I lift the existing rockwork up to lay the sand down underneath.

I'm not worried at all about turbidity, but what happens when those anoxic layers are suddenly exposed to oxygenated water, or accumulated detritus is disturbed.

 

[the other tang]

I think if you go slow, any effect wil be minimal. Rush it and I am with you and don't know either. I can guess and wouldn't do it. That said I would not add more than 1" of depth at a time, it has been done with success but sound a bit risky.