Adding Sand To Existing Tank

intenseimage · 12/02/2008, 07:50 AM

Tank has been running for about a year now with a SSB and during water changes some sand is always siphoned out to remove detritus and cyano ... now its starting to look a little low and I would like to add some more.

Can I use any of the pre-bagged sand options or should I stick with adding "live" sand. Would plain ol Southdown cause a bloom?

Sugar Magnolia · 12/02/2008, 07:58 AM

As long as you rinse the bagged sand well it shouldn't be a problem. Rinse in RO/DI.

jeffhaag · 12/02/2008, 09:11 AM

I've always had best results putting the damp sand in plastic bags. Then I lower the bad to the bottom of the tank and pour it out once the bad is sitting on the bottom of the tank. This defiantely helps reduce the clouding. Also, I wouldn't add more then about 1/4" - 1/2" layer of sand each week so the existing fauna can get to surface and stay alive.

WhatIgot · 12/02/2008, 01:12 PM

I have added sand to my 72 on 3 occasions, as long as it was done incrementally, I never saw an issue at all.

I added as much as 5lbs at one time, but never more than that.

1628mna · 12/02/2008, 02:14 PM

does it have to be live sand?

thanx mike

fewskillz · 12/02/2008, 03:31 PM

No, doesn't have to be live. The living stuff in your current sand will quickly make itself at home in the new sand.

leeweber85 · 12/02/2008, 06:10 PM

I used to add new sand to my tank, I would only add 10lbs at a time (75g tank w/ 100lbs +/-)

What worked best for me was to use new/dry sand I would cut off one of the corners of the bag and rinse the sand with RO water a few times while still in the bag. Then I just stuck the whole bag in aquarium and slowly poured it in keeping it as close to the bottom of the tank as I could. This seemed to help keep the tank from clouding up like it did when I just dumped it in.

12/02/2008, 07:50 AM	#1
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	Adding Sand To Existing Tank Tank has been running for about a year now with a SSB and during water changes some sand is always siphoned out to remove detritus and cyano ... now its starting to look a little low and I would like to add some more. Can I use any of the pre-bagged sand options or should I stick with adding "live" sand. Would plain ol Southdown cause a bloom?

12/02/2008, 07:58 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	As long as you rinse the bagged sand well it shouldn't be a problem. Rinse in RO/DI. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

12/02/2008, 01:12 PM	#4
WhatIgot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Coquitlam (Vancouver) Posts: 61	I have added sand to my 72 on 3 occasions, as long as it was done incrementally, I never saw an issue at all. I added as much as 5lbs at one time, but never more than that. __________________ Happily Ever NOW! Current Tank Info: 95 display mixed reef w. 60 sump, 2 gal 'fuge. AP12 70w HQI mixed reef, 100 2X400w Frag Tank

12/02/2008, 03:31 PM	#6
fewskillz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 197	No, doesn't have to be live. The living stuff in your current sand will quickly make itself at home in the new sand. __________________ Is there a reef-addict support group? Hello, my name is Chris, and I have a reefing problem. Current Tank Info: 180 mixed reef, 10 BB Nano Reef, 15 PFW

12/02/2008, 06:10 PM	#7
leeweber85 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 2,482	I used to add new sand to my tank, I would only add 10lbs at a time (75g tank w/ 100lbs +/-) What worked best for me was to use new/dry sand I would cut off one of the corners of the bag and rinse the sand with RO water a few times while still in the bag. Then I just stuck the whole bag in aquarium and slowly poured it in keeping it as close to the bottom of the tank as I could. This seemed to help keep the tank from clouding up like it did when I just dumped it in. __________________ -Lee Current Tank Info: 120g reef, 20g reef

12/02/2008, 09:11 AM	#3
jeffhaag Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chickamauga, GA Posts: 442	I've always had best results putting the damp sand in plastic bags. Then I lower the bad to the bottom of the tank and pour it out once the bad is sitting on the bottom of the tank. This defiantely helps reduce the clouding. Also, I wouldn't add more then about 1/4" - 1/2" layer of sand each week so the existing fauna can get to surface and stay alive.

12/02/2008, 02:14 PM	#5
1628mna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: brunswick ohio Posts: 725	does it have to be live sand? thanx mike