Change to coarser sand

Jake622 · 06/23/2011, 12:06 PM

I have fine grain sand in my tank that is constantly annoying me. I am thinking about switching to something a little more coarse. Has anyone done this and have recommendations on how to do it? I have a 400g FOWLR.

Thanks!

MRICKEN1012 · 06/23/2011, 12:26 PM

I had the same prob....I hate sand

I used tubing like I was doing a water change and just sucked the sand up. It took me over a month. I did about 1/3 of the tank it ended up to about a 40% water change. I then filled that spot with crushed coral. waited a couple weeks and did it again.

It was prob overkill, but I didnt lose anything. You could always remove everything and save all the water. Dump the sand and refill using all the original water. If you do this I would also save some sand and either put it in your fuge or mix it in with your new substrate when you add it.

OodleyBoodely · 06/23/2011, 01:29 PM

You don't have to change out the sand unless you only want a very thin layer. You can always add coarser sand on top of the fine sand, and, it will stay on top since finer sand always settles downward and the coarser stuff will migrate to the surface whenever there is any disturbance or sifting of the sandbed. If you have a deep sand bed, this is actually best as you want to keep the finer sand.

mykol · 06/23/2011, 02:09 PM

You can add a thin layer of coarse over the current sand and it'll keep it in place for you. I just upgraded from a 29 gallon glass bottom to a 40 breeder. I opted for a sand bed because i like the look in short tanks. I did a lot of asking and reading, and ended up with purely fine sand because coarse sand has a tendency to accumulate algae on it.

06/23/2011, 12:06 PM	#1
Jake622 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 78	Change to coarser sand I have fine grain sand in my tank that is constantly annoying me. I am thinking about switching to something a little more coarse. Has anyone done this and have recommendations on how to do it? I have a 400g FOWLR. Thanks!

06/23/2011, 01:29 PM	#3
OodleyBoodely Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Azle, Tx Posts: 754	You don't have to change out the sand unless you only want a very thin layer. You can always add coarser sand on top of the fine sand, and, it will stay on top since finer sand always settles downward and the coarser stuff will migrate to the surface whenever there is any disturbance or sifting of the sandbed. If you have a deep sand bed, this is actually best as you want to keep the finer sand. __________________ 37gal w/LED lighting with cement/oystershell/perlite background, DSB, 20l sump with 30lbs lr, biopellets in reactor, Reef Octo skimmer, 1 pajama cardinal No corals at this time. -

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06/23/2011, 12:26 PM	#2
MRICKEN1012 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 662	I had the same prob....I hate sand I used tubing like I was doing a water change and just sucked the sand up. It took me over a month. I did about 1/3 of the tank it ended up to about a 40% water change. I then filled that spot with crushed coral. waited a couple weeks and did it again. It was prob overkill, but I didnt lose anything. You could always remove everything and save all the water. Dump the sand and refill using all the original water. If you do this I would also save some sand and either put it in your fuge or mix it in with your new substrate when you add it.

06/23/2011, 02:09 PM	#4
mykol Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 101	You can add a thin layer of coarse over the current sand and it'll keep it in place for you. I just upgraded from a 29 gallon glass bottom to a 40 breeder. I opted for a sand bed because i like the look in short tanks. I did a lot of asking and reading, and ended up with purely fine sand because coarse sand has a tendency to accumulate algae on it.