thinking about adding sand

[Bdial]

Im thinking about adding a very small sand bed back to my tank. I have a 110 (48x18x31) that is mostly sps. Would there be any negative side effects to adding the sand? Besides the aesthetic appeal would it provide any positives? Im getting a clam so I know that it would appeal to it. Has anyone added sand and regretted it. I have a bag of fiji pink laying around. Would I need more than 20lbs for a small bed?

 

[Benar]

I've finally removed all my sand. I got sick of all the dissolved organic issues with a SSB. Phos was running .02-.03 and I was still having issues with the sand. If it's siphoned regularly you should be fine, but is just as much work as siphoning a bb/starboard in my opinion, without being able to truly see what you're exporting. The benefits really come down to looks (if you're that way inclined, I prefer my starboard now - took a few years of ssb's) and keeping certain species. Zeovit suggested a SSB, so I did. Now all I did was replace my skimmer with something people would consider overkill, but I saved myself the expense of a whole lot of little blue bottles. A lot of people make them work, yet at the same time a lot have problems. It comes down to how you look after it. A SSB is definitely not a set and forget.

 

[Bdial]

Its not the work. I love doing work on the tank. Its the appeal I want. My wofe loves sand in tanks. I always push against it saying how big a pain they are. But I keep drooling over tanks with sand. Im just concerned about the effects of introducing sand to a well established dt.

 

[RDuhb]

Following this one because I want to do the same. Although i have sand already i want to add more. I've lost some depth over the past several months due to routine siphoning. Just want to fill in some low spots.

 

[plyle02]

I added 60lbs of live sand in my tank and in 2 hours, it was crystal clear again, I love the look so much better, my fish seemed very happy too. I had no coral losses with the addition, as suggested above, it is work to keep nutrients down, but that is what makes the hobby fun

 

[Bdial]

I added 20lbs yesterday. I used a 1" pvc and a funnel. I was able to keep to dust storm down and everything went super smooth. It was hazy for most of the day but not bad. This morning its crystal clear and my sps have full pe. I need to add about 10 more lbs to fill in some spots. Ill give this sand a week then ill put in the rest.

 

[plyle02]

Put a pic up Glad to hear everything went well...
Regards,

 

[Bdial]

Here is a cell phone fts a few hours after the sand was in.

 

[trueblackpercula]

do a lot of reading on how to maintain a sand bed, they sure look great but done incorrectly they will do lots of damage. I have a dsb hope this helps

 

[Bdial]

The only reason I was barebottom was that I had a nasty sandbed in it previously and needed to clean up before going reef. Im gonna add some more sand and order some to keep on hand for replacement. Ill siphon and stir to keep it clean.

 

[ptreef]

keep it shallow, just enuf to cover it ~3/4"
I will stir it up once a week with tongs. When I do WC every 2-3 mos I will gravel vac as well.

No issues and easy to maintain! Plus love the look over BB.

I have about bag & half ~ 60# in a 66x36 footprint.

SPS dominate, 3.25 yrs old and nitrate 0 & po4 shows usually always under .02 on hanna ULR