New tank. Sand question!

[One fish]

Hello guys. I ordered some live sand 20lbs but it won't come in for a few days. And I also am not sure it's the kind I want. Can I fill my tank now and start it and add sand later?? Thanks a bunch!

 

[ShannyG]

I've read of people adding sand later without too much trouble, but I recently made the switch to a bare bottom tank and will never go back.

 

[wcarterh]

You CAN, however you may see a slight cycle. Crushed coral is a GREAT help if not going bare bottomed. With finer particle sand, it will get sucked out when cleaning detritus.

 

[One fish]

I was thinking a bought crushed coral but everyone told me it was bad.

 

[gone fishin]

Crushed coral tends to hold more detritus in it.

You can add more sand once water is in the tank. I use a piece of 2 inch PVC, pour the sand down it then slowly pull it up and spread it around. Others fill zip lock bags, fill the bag then open it at the bottom of the tank. either method will help mitigate cloudiness.

 

[thegrun]

I would avoid crushed coral, it traps detritus and usually leads to nitrate issues. I like CaribSea Special Grade Reef Sands, it is large enough to avoid being blown around but small enough to not trap detritus. I use an oil change funnel to add sand.

 

[wcarterh]

It depends on the depth and your housekeeping. I have a goby/pistol that paired up. The pistol was very....agitated due to finer sand not holding up to his tunneling. I lost a second goby due to a tunnel collapse until i added CC (crushed coral). If you have a DSB (deep sea bed), yes it can cause issues. It also depends on your CUC. If you have CUC that clean in it, there shouldn't be an issue with good housekeeping. It also depends on the flow and any dead spots.

If you are concerned, you may then want to go with a coarser sand.

 

[Xavibear]

A large grade sand is much better than crushed coral for substrate.