Adding sand

[mmotown]

Guys I am about to add more sand to my tank. I believe my lack of sand from over the years of cleaning my sand has led to a depth that is not controlling my nitrates. I have some Carib Sea Arogonite sand and I wanted to know can I add it to my aquarium from the bag or do I have to rinse it. Also I was going to do a water change. Should I do it after I add the new sand and it settles or should I do a water change and add the new sand. Please help...

 

[das75]

I'm BB now but when had sand and added more, I would rinse first.

If your nitrates are a problem wouldn't hurt to do a change ASAP.

And just a comment about Nitrates, I test zero or next to zero (w/Salifert) and no sand in my display, sump or fuge, the two aren't necessarily linked.

 

[manuelink]

i dont understand how you got nitrates if you have a ro/di and 2 tunze. Maybe the problem is the RO filter change the cartridges for a news! or the skimmer doesnt working well
dont add more sand because you will have a lot of problems in the future all DSB collapse!

 

[mmotown]

I have a new skimmer which is a Octo 300 pro. I do however have a large fish load for my 150 although I don't think so. I once tested 0 for nitrates but that was before I added all of my anthias...

 

[das75]

just to compare fish loads, I have 2 tangs, foxface, 3 clowns, 3 chromis, 2 damsels and a 6-line wrasse in a well stocked reef.

 

[manuelink]

the things that eliminate nitrates are:
you need to add macroalge in the sump if you dont have it!
eliminate the sock filter,
upgrade the circulation, moving 40 or 50 times the volumen on your display tank.
dont feed to much!
and you will have 0 or .5 nitrates!!

 

[mmotown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14085417#post14085417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manuelink
the things that eliminate nitrates are:
you need to add macroalge in the sump if you dont have it!
eliminate the sock filter,
upgrade the circulation, moving 40 or 50 times the volumen on your display tank.
dont feed to much!
and you will have 0 or .5 nitrates!!

I have marco algae in the sump but it doesn't grow much. AS far as the filter sock I figured that to be a must have. It catches larger particles and stops stuff from entering my skimmer pump. Also I change it out every 3-4 days.

 

[mmotown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14085401#post14085401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by das75
just to compare fish loads, I have 2 tangs, foxface, 3 clowns, 3 chromis, 2 damsels and a 6-line wrasse in a well stocked reef.

Man!!!!! I am almost embarrased to say this but my tank looks good to me. Have been having trouble with my SPS though.

1 med blonde naso 6"
1 yellow tang
1 vahlmingi tang 4"
1 vahahlmingi tang 2 1/2"
2 onyx clowns
1 ocelaris clown
2 scissor tails
1 6 line wrasse
8 anthias
6 small blue/green chromis

 

[manuelink]

what kind of problems do you have with your sps?
and tell me the NO3 test are you using!

 

[mmotown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14087973#post14087973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manuelink
what kind of problems do you have with your sps?
and tell me the NO3 test are you using!

My tank constantly have alk swings. I am using a Koralin 1502 cal rx and I just can't leave that thing alone and it maintains my ALK. I am dosing vodka right now. Test NO3 last night and it was high .50. I am using Salifert tet kits. So you wouldn't add more sand? What if I added it to my fuge instead and added my macro algae?

 

[manuelink]

if you want to reduce the nitrates with DSB, you must to check the RDSB "Remote Deep Sand Bed" because if the RDSB collapses you can get rid off the filter because is independent of the tank
LIKE THIS ONE

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=7842431#post7842431

 

[mmotown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14097231#post14097231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manuelink
if you want to reduce the nitrates with DSB, you must to check the RDSB "Remote Deep Sand Bed" because if the RDSB collapses you can get rid off the filter because is independent of the tank
LIKE THIS ONE

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=7842431#post7842431

That's nice the way you have that set up. My problem is my tank is in my formal living area and I don't have any room underneath my tank for a RDSB.