adding sand

tdchicago · 03/17/2008, 10:13 AM

Can I just add more sand to my tank? Over the last year, I have siphoned some out, and the bed is looking a little thinner than I would like?

Do I have to buy live sand, or will regular sand do?

kevin2000 · 03/17/2008, 10:19 AM

Adding a thin layer every 2-3 weeks will insure that your aerobic bacteria (converts ammonia) will receive sufficient oxygen and have time to migrate upwards as needed.

viodea · 03/17/2008, 10:24 AM

Make sure you wash sand good (if not live) and be patience when doing so. Check this link and you'll know why.

lloydkeller · 03/17/2008, 10:59 AM

small amount at a time is ok wont hurt

Meeshi_ma · 03/17/2008, 11:02 AM

I'd put the new, washed sand into a dish or something, lower it to the bottom, and then spread it out from there. Don't just dump it in from the top

03/17/2008, 10:13 AM	#1
tdchicago Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago, go BEARS Posts: 173	adding sand Can I just add more sand to my tank? Over the last year, I have siphoned some out, and the bed is looking a little thinner than I would like? Do I have to buy live sand, or will regular sand do?

03/17/2008, 10:19 AM	#2
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Adding a thin layer every 2-3 weeks will insure that your aerobic bacteria (converts ammonia) will receive sufficient oxygen and have time to migrate upwards as needed.

03/17/2008, 10:24 AM	#3
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	Make sure you wash sand good (if not live) and be patience when doing so. Check this link and you'll know why.

03/17/2008, 10:59 AM	#4
lloydkeller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 563	small amount at a time is ok wont hurt

03/17/2008, 11:02 AM	#5
Meeshi_ma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 59	I'd put the new, washed sand into a dish or something, lower it to the bottom, and then spread it out from there. Don't just dump it in from the top