May add sand, also want to add a fish

[CarmieJo]

I've posted this in the general forum but haven't had any response.

The Southdown sand bed in my tank is probably an average of 3" thick. Someone in my group is moving and tearing down his tank and I can get some more Southdown LS from him. I'm thinking that I would like to increase the average depth og my bed to 4" or so. What are the pros and cons? I have a maroon clown that I've bought on hold at the LFS because I didn't want to get it until I did a water change today. If I get the sand should I hold off on adding the fish? My tank is 10 weeks old and since I started out with 100# LS and 50# LR never had a cycle. I also put a bunch of old coral heads from when I kept FO back in the 80's in my tank, they are already getting coraline on them so I think they are probably biologically active too.
Parameters"
NH4 0
NO2 0
NO3 5-10

Any opinions?

 

[ACBlinky]

I don't think I'd add that much sand from a tank that's being torn down, and I'm not sure adding another inch will give you much benefit over what you've already got.
As for adding a fish, I say go for it, just keep an eye on your levels. Keep in mind that if you're adding a maroon as your first fish, it's going to see the entire tank as its territory and probably attack any fish added later.

 

[CarmieJo]

I already have 3 blue chromis and a firefish. The chromis didn't seem to bother the firefish when I added him a couple of weeks ago. The maroon is the first over $10 fish though...

 

[WaterKeeper]

I think you'll be OK adding the sand from the existing tank as there would not be any cycle if the switch is done the same day and the sand kept wet. Only one caution here; make sure that the tank that is suppling the sand has not history of diseases during the past two months. Sand can carry ich and velvet.