What's The Best Way To Add Live Sand To An Existing Tank?

[Fishnthecorner]

My tank has been up and running for 10 Months +. I currently have a bare bottom, I'd like to add about 20lbs of live sand...
What's the best way. without causing much disturbance?

[Saltydrip]

Put it in a plastic sandwich bag snd slowly deposit it on the bottom. I added a HOB filter to my tank to help filter out the dust and within 12 hours she was back to a clean tank. I didn't just add sand I replaced agronite with sand.

[greg1786]

if you cut a 2" diagonal hole in the top left corner of the bag and half inch hole in the top right corner of the bag, you can submerge it in the tank and hold it from the bottom of the bag so the holes you cut are just above your existing sand bed. the water will enter the 1/2 inch hole and the sand will slowly come out of the larger hole( just hold the bag on a slight angle like your basically pouring it) and you can move the bag back a forth around the tank to evenly distribute the new sand. this causes very little "dust" to stir up in the water.


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[Misled]

You can also use a section of 2" pvc pipe.

[ntropics]

Take an old 2 liter seltzer bottle, cut off the bottom, and connect it to 1/2 PVC pipe about the same length that your tank is deep. You can use PVC cement, but wait for it to be thoroughly dry before using. While still empty, submerse this into the tank. Now wet the sand and add it to the bottle after wetting it. Be careful here. If you have a friend to help you, it is easier. Now position the end of the PVC were you want the sand to go. The sand may get stuck, but a thin bottle brush helps it go through. You might have to ad some additional water to the sand mixture to get it to flow properly. This works GREAT for targeting exactly where you want the sand to go. It is my own *patented* method but you get the concept for free!!

Bruce

[dinthbrgh]

however you do it, only do a cup or two at a time unless the tank is void of any critters. once a week add a cup or two to avoid a new cycle.

[Drae]

Pvc pipe is the easiest way IMHO.

[ReefUrchin]

As said, as far as pouring into a tank, above ideas are great, but, I would personally try to put it in a tub or something that will layer it 2-3" and cycle it in the tub and not in the DT, THEN use the ideas above to pour it in.

[Fishnthecorner]

Great advice guys! I love the PVC Idea, any you tube videos?

[Fishnthecorner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20C0VGEaEM4

[Fishnthecorner]

I'm adding live sand to my 1 year old established tank, and I was wondering if I needed to rinse it first?

20 LB. OOLITE OCEAN DIRECT LIVE REEF SAND (from BRS)

[ReefUrchin]

Depends... Are you going to cycle it in a separate container first?

[EllieSuz]

I use one of those long necked funnels which are for oil changes. There is a size of vinyl hose that fits the end of that funnel, which needs to be cut just long enough to reach the bottom of your tank. Spoon wet sand (live or new and rinsed) into the funnel and guide it around where you want the sand deposited. No cloudyness...it just works like gangbusters. By the way, live sand isn't really alive anymore. It sits on a warehouse shelf and then on the fish store shelf for so long, nothing could possibly live in it. If you decide to use regular dried sand such as Aragonite, get a cup of live sand from the fish store or a fellow reefer. This will contain all the bacteria, etc. that your sand needs to become alive.