Question for all on LSB addition

[DiazE]

How long in days should I give the the added sand to become Live with the live sand that's in the tank?

I plan on adding the 80lbs in small weekly batches.

I started adding Caribe Sea Reef Grade sand to my tank yesterday. I only added 10lbs of the 40lb bag, beacause I don't want to smother the sandbed critters.

Pleases help!

 

[DiazE]

Sixteen views and still no answers, please anybody!

 

[T Man]

An option is mixing the existing LS from your tank and the new substrate in equal parts outside of your system in a five gallon bucket. Make sure to wash the new substrate before adding it to the bucket, stir the two together and add an airstone to the mix to keep the oxygen levels up- drain the water before adding it back into your display, and continue the weekly additions as you have already planned. This method accomplishes several things, "seeding" the new with the old and stirring up the existing sand bed. not to mention being able to test the "bucket sand for any possible problems. This method has worked for me in the past with positive results and minimal water "clouding" and not effecting the natural buffering action.
When it comes time to add it back into your display, I have learned that if placed in a plastic bag, the semi-dry sand will just empty out of the bag directly to the sand bad with hardly any debris getting into the water column. Hope this helps. TinMan

 

[DiazE]

LU359TINMAN

Thanks will do! It will be a little work but I don't want to kill the organizms.

 

[T Man]

You are welcome DiazE, do you have any pics of your system? I really would like to see your TBS rock- I think that it is the finest rock available to our hobby and well worth the price! TinMan

 

[DiazE]

LU359TINMAN

I need to post updated pictures. Haven't taken any since part 2.