Adding sand to established tank?
- Thread starter Jon770
- Start date
techreef
Premium Member
it doesn't sound like your existing sand bed is very deep, so mixing the new sand into it isn't Verbotten. if you had a DSB, doing this would be a bad thing, as you would release some toxic gases into your water column that were previously percolating in your DSB.
just wondering though, why would you want to mix the new sand in w/ the old? does it really matter? if you have critters in your existing sand bed, I guess they could be killed if you bury them in 20 lbs of new sand all of a sudden...
just wondering though, why would you want to mix the new sand in w/ the old? does it really matter? if you have critters in your existing sand bed, I guess they could be killed if you bury them in 20 lbs of new sand all of a sudden...
Anemonebuff
New member
Use a 2" diameter PVC pipe that is the length of the tank's height. Pour the sand down the pipe. This will substantially cut down on the "sandstorm".
Anemonebuff
New member
Oh yeah, I do not think that adding all the sand will harm anything. It may cause a small cycle though.
flameangel88
New member
Add a powerhead or two to get good circulation.
flameangel88
New member
Are you taking out the fish and LR out before adding the live sand? Either way I would suggest you turn the PH on after you put in the sand that way it won't get caught in the PHs. Good luck.
Anemonebuff
New member
Yes I think it is better.
Fill up the tube and then move the tube along the bottom and slowly lift the tube. It will add a small amount of sand at a time directly to the bottom. It also allows the sand to get wet and heavy so it will not be as likely to float around.
Anemonebuff
New member
Turn on the powerhead and aim it at the surface. It will not disturb the sand and it will add more oxygen to the water.
Jon770
New member
To address a few comments:
1. EVERYTHING will remain in my tank when I add the new sand (fish, corals, inverts, etc.) That is why I started this thread in the first place...I wanted to know if it was safe to do that.
2. The sand I will be adding is LIVE sand (wet, in the retail/manufacturer's bag). I am not concerned with dry sand floating around. Most of this will sink, but I will definitely get a bit of a sandstorm from the dust, at least. That's why I will use the Ziplock or PVC method - to try and reduce that.
3. Most of my powerheads are towards the surface anyway for aeration, but they still create flow throughout the tank. Should I keep them on the whole time (thereby kicking up more of the new sand), or wait an hour or two to allow the new sand to settle first before turning them on? I am thinking to just leave them off to reduce the disturbance to my fish/corals. But if there is a reason why I would WANT them on, I would love to hear it.
[Sorry for all the questions...I know I am probably thinking WAAAAAY too much into this whole thing.]
1. EVERYTHING will remain in my tank when I add the new sand (fish, corals, inverts, etc.) That is why I started this thread in the first place...I wanted to know if it was safe to do that.
2. The sand I will be adding is LIVE sand (wet, in the retail/manufacturer's bag). I am not concerned with dry sand floating around. Most of this will sink, but I will definitely get a bit of a sandstorm from the dust, at least. That's why I will use the Ziplock or PVC method - to try and reduce that.
3. Most of my powerheads are towards the surface anyway for aeration, but they still create flow throughout the tank. Should I keep them on the whole time (thereby kicking up more of the new sand), or wait an hour or two to allow the new sand to settle first before turning them on? I am thinking to just leave them off to reduce the disturbance to my fish/corals. But if there is a reason why I would WANT them on, I would love to hear it.
[Sorry for all the questions...I know I am probably thinking WAAAAAY too much into this whole thing.]
Anemonebuff
New member
1. Yes it is safe. I have done it.
2. Either method will reduce the sandstorm.
3. You may have some oxygen depletion when the live sand is added, due to dieoff and the consumption of oxygen by the new bacteria. So I would leave them all on.
2. Either method will reduce the sandstorm.
3. You may have some oxygen depletion when the live sand is added, due to dieoff and the consumption of oxygen by the new bacteria. So I would leave them all on.
techreef
Premium Member
why are we in this hobby if it's not to overanalyze everything??? hmm, do i go with the 2mm grain size, or the 2.5mm size? the two-part coral putty, or the super glue? a monoculture of phyto, or 3 different cultures?
you know that any non-reefer reading these threads on RC must think we are completely insane!
you know that any non-reefer reading these threads on RC must think we are completely insane!
rstark33
New member
I am a reefer and this post was getting a little over the top. Just add the sand in small increments over a few days. Its already wet, not going to be a major sandstorm problem.
Simple as that.
Next timee buy dry sand that is not full of dead stuff and no worries about a cycle!
Simple as that.
Next timee buy dry sand that is not full of dead stuff and no worries about a cycle!
Avast Marine
.Registered Member
I am currently replacing a 29g CC tank with a DSB. I removed 1/3 CC and replaced it with the 15# sand. I have the remaining sand that I need to add in a bucket with tank water with a small ph running. I think I will wait another week and then add the rest of the sand. I don't know if the bacteria in my tank is stronger than the stuff in the bag (yes I do), but I think this will help inoculate the sand a little better . Think of it as a acclimation period for the sand rather than the tank. I don't know if this is the best method for what I am doing but it makes sense to me.
