adding more sand, on top, or mix in with old?

sk8rreefgeek · 08/18/2008, 08:50 AM

I'm moving the tank later this week(!) and I'm also installing my sump, and skimmer. (stoked)

I want to add a little more sand. Would it be better to mix it in with the old, or just pile it on top?

Also, dude at my LFS took my old 55g in trade +$50, for a brand new AGA, bottom-drilled, corner overflow!!! sweeet

landlord · 08/18/2008, 09:05 AM

I wouldn't dig to deep to mix it. You will seriously stir up the nasties towards the bottom of the sandbed.

--landlord

chimmike · 08/18/2008, 09:12 AM

get some nassarius snails, and just add the sand to the top.

the sand in my DT has all sorts of good lil worms and stuff, so I don't mess with the sand (but my damn blenny does).

sk8rreefgeek · 08/18/2008, 09:14 AM

That's what I was thinking, BUT I have to transfer the sand into the new tank anyway.

Kalypso Aquatics is going to hold ALL my livestock and rock during the move. I can let the tank run for a few days before putting the babies back in...

chimmike · 08/18/2008, 10:24 AM

depending on how old your tank is, I'd get all new sand for the new tank.

GrantMeThePower · 08/18/2008, 10:44 AM

How many nassarius snails should he add for a 55 gallon? 5? 6?

sk8rreefgeek · 08/18/2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chimmike
depending on how old your tank is, I'd get all new sand for the new tank.

The sand has been in there for almost 2 years. Why would I want to replace it?

chimmike · 08/18/2008, 12:17 PM

because chances are likely there are bad things in the sand, and you generally don't want to transfer those over.

the 65 I'm building up now will get all new sand, new LR (due to the algea problem I'm having as of late) and new fuge in order to make sure everything's fresh.

For a 60g, nassarius snails, I'd get maybe 7-10, depending on the footprint of the tank.

barbra · 08/18/2008, 12:28 PM

Chimmike is correct. When you drain the water and start digging in that sandbed you are going to get a nosefull of nasty. I would save any critters you can that live in the current sandbed, and use about a cup or two of the nicest to start a new sandbed.

sk8rreefgeek · 08/18/2008, 12:33 PM

aww jeez...lol

hmmmmm, well. I guess. That's another ding in the wallet.

dang

what if I stirred, siphoned, stirred and siphoned, THEN scooped it out, and let the tank run for a few days, with the fresh stuff on top? feasable???

anyone been in the same situation?
I appreciate the help...

chimmike · 08/18/2008, 12:41 PM

Believe me, my 65g build is going sloooooow because I have too many other hobbies and a limited cash flow, haha.

Matter of fact, I'm just about finished building my stand, need to sand it, prime it, get some red oak sheeting to cover it, and then make sure it's all level and stuff. THEN I get to save up for a good skimmer, buy another tank (maybe a 30 breeder) for a sump/fuge.

ahh....the expenses that await. AND I'm trying to put together a turbo kit for my s2000. My wife tells me almost daily that I have too many hobbies. She's right.

08/18/2008, 08:50 AM	#1
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	adding more sand, on top, or mix in with old? I'm moving the tank later this week(!) and I'm also installing my sump, and skimmer. (stoked) I want to add a little more sand. Would it be better to mix it in with the old, or just pile it on top? Also, dude at my LFS took my old 55g in trade +$50, for a brand new AGA, bottom-drilled, corner overflow!!! sweeet __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

08/18/2008, 09:05 AM	#2
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	I wouldn't dig to deep to mix it. You will seriously stir up the nasties towards the bottom of the sandbed. --landlord __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

08/18/2008, 09:12 AM	#3
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	get some nassarius snails, and just add the sand to the top. the sand in my DT has all sorts of good lil worms and stuff, so I don't mess with the sand (but my damn blenny does). __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

08/18/2008, 09:14 AM	#4
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	That's what I was thinking, BUT I have to transfer the sand into the new tank anyway. Kalypso Aquatics is going to hold ALL my livestock and rock during the move. I can let the tank run for a few days before putting the babies back in... __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

08/18/2008, 10:24 AM	#5
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	depending on how old your tank is, I'd get all new sand for the new tank. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

08/18/2008, 10:44 AM	#6
GrantMeThePower Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 234	How many nassarius snails should he add for a 55 gallon? 5? 6?

08/18/2008, 12:17 PM	#8
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	because chances are likely there are bad things in the sand, and you generally don't want to transfer those over. the 65 I'm building up now will get all new sand, new LR (due to the algea problem I'm having as of late) and new fuge in order to make sure everything's fresh. For a 60g, nassarius snails, I'd get maybe 7-10, depending on the footprint of the tank. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

08/18/2008, 12:28 PM	#9
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Chimmike is correct. When you drain the water and start digging in that sandbed you are going to get a nosefull of nasty. I would save any critters you can that live in the current sandbed, and use about a cup or two of the nicest to start a new sandbed.

08/18/2008, 12:33 PM	#10
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	aww jeez...lol hmmmmm, well. I guess. That's another ding in the wallet. dang what if I stirred, siphoned, stirred and siphoned, THEN scooped it out, and let the tank run for a few days, with the fresh stuff on top? feasable??? anyone been in the same situation? I appreciate the help... __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

08/18/2008, 12:41 PM	#11
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	Believe me, my 65g build is going sloooooow because I have too many other hobbies and a limited cash flow, haha. Matter of fact, I'm just about finished building my stand, need to sand it, prime it, get some red oak sheeting to cover it, and then make sure it's all level and stuff. THEN I get to save up for a good skimmer, buy another tank (maybe a 30 breeder) for a sump/fuge. ahh....the expenses that await. AND I'm trying to put together a turbo kit for my s2000. My wife tells me almost daily that I have too many hobbies. She's right. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!