How hard to add sand?

[Salty Brother]

I have a 75 BB reef with mostly sps and its barebottom right now. I kinda want to go back to having a shallow sand bed. How hard is this to do and how much is new sand going to effect my tank?
Thanks,
Patrick

 

[snulma1]

I think that so long as you rinse the new sand well, so that there is no sand storm, then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cdbias2]

I've seen where people get a funnel and attach a long tube that reaches the bottom of the tank to minimize the cloud.
I think this will minimize the cloud but not eliminate it.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I use a long piece of 2" PVC with a big funnel taped to the end. Put the end of the pipe right off the bottom and pour the sand in slowly moving the pipe around so the sand does not have to travel far. If its going to be a decorative sand bed then by all means rinse it well. If you are wanting a functioning DSB I would not rinse the sand as the fines are beneficial.

 

[Ritten]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11847502#post11847502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
I use a long piece of 2" PVC with a big funnel taped to the end. Put the end of the pipe right off the bottom and pour the sand in slowly moving the pipe around so the sand does not have to travlel far. If its going to be a decorative sand bed then by all means rinse it well. If you are wanting a functioning DSB I would not rinse the sand as the fines are beneficial.

That works well for me also.

 

[Davidb6]

Agree with above...long clear tube with a funnel.

Hold the tube and funnel in the tank with the bottom of the tube firmly on the bottom of the tank...the tube should preferably be in some sand to eliminate the dust storms...doesn't hurt to reduce tank flow while your doing this just in case you do have a dust storm. Also, tube should be longer than the tank is deep.
Pour in a "small" amt of sand followed by a "small" amount of tank water (to wash sand down the tube). Lift the tube VERY slowly to release the sand. Move and repeat. Takes a while but is a nice clean and easy method.

I do not rinse the sand using this method.

 

[seapug]

I've also read if you are adding sand to an established tank you should do this whole process slowly over a couple days to avoid causing problems with your pH and Alkalinity.

 

[Davidb6]

Good point about adding sand slowly!!

 

[Salty Brother]

thanks all for the replies, im not that worried about the cloud.
Thanks again i believe im going to try it soon.