Adding New Sand to an Established Tank

Ryj27 · 09/12/2015, 02:42 PM

I have had my 55g tank for about a month now. Everything is doing great, except that I've realized that my sand bed is not deep enough. My small hermit crabs, if they mess around in the same spot long enough, can uncover the bottom of the tank. The sand is probably a little less than half an inch deep. I know this is bad, so I plan on taking everything out and adding more sand and a little bit of crushed coral tomorrow. But will adding more live sand start a cycle? And if it does how long? Should I use dry sand? Lol help

Ryj27 · 09/12/2015, 02:51 PM

I do have liverock, inverts, and fish so I'm hoping it won't start a long cycle. I don't even have another tank set up they could go in...

Gagonzalez · 09/12/2015, 02:55 PM

If you place a lot of dry sand in then yes, it will start a mini cycle.

Just leave everything in place and add about 1/4 at a time about every 1-2weeks. Should be a small enough difference not to impact much.

gone fishin · 09/12/2015, 03:25 PM

Get some dry sand and rinse it well, then you can add some, maybe a 1/3 of the tank, wait a week a or two then add some more. I would skip the crushed coral. it can trap detritus causing you some headaches. just my two cents good luck.

davocean · 09/12/2015, 07:33 PM

I'd also do just dry sand, that should avoid any cycle issues, just add about half an inch to one half of tank at a time, that lets the life on top level to seed the new, add to other half a few day/week later.
I would use a piece of PVC, like 2", cover one end w/ a plastic baggy w/ a rubber band, fill it up, place where you want it, use tongs or something to pull the rubber band and baggy off and sand will settle there w/out a sand storm.
Always rinse first in clean RO/DI water.

Ryj27 · 09/12/2015, 08:07 PM

I'm afraid the rock will get buried in sand

CStrickland · 09/12/2015, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryj27

I'm afraid the rock will get buried in sand

its normal to have the rock set on the bottom and sand come up around it. If the rock is on the sand then it can get shifted around and destabilize your aquascape if something burrows under it.

ca1ore · 09/13/2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryj27

I do have liverock, inverts, and fish so I'm hoping it won't start a long cycle. I don't even have another tank set up they could go in...

Adding new, clean sand WILL NOT start any kind of cycle. Why would it, unless it's laden with decomposing organic material. Just wash any dry sand really well as it is full of fines that will turn your tank water to milk. I simply fill a ziplock bag with washed sand and dump it out at the bottom; or pour the sand down a piece of PVC.

Sk8r · 09/13/2015, 12:14 PM

I use a clipped-off brand new auto oil funnel stuck into 2" pvc pipe long enough to reach bottom. Don't try to spread it. Fish will do that. And replace it a little at a time, because new sand may leach phosphate and turn green with algae. If this happens, just let it run its course before adding more.

droog · 09/14/2015, 09:14 PM

You could also let it be.

Shallow sand is not necessarily "bad" - plenty of folks here are successful with shallow sand beds. Many prefer the look and find it its easier to keep clean.

About a month is not really established yet. This is about the time you may start to see cyano, hair algae, other nasties. Lots of learning opportunities for you are "in the mail". Have a beer, enjoy your tank. Let the hermit crabs be. I'd leave the sand bed alone unless they form a union and go on collective clean-up-crew strike action.

If you like to tinker, start measuring your nutrient levels (p04, no3) and check the directional trend.

-droog

09/12/2015, 02:42 PM	#1
Ryj27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Streator Illinois Posts: 7	Adding New Sand to an Established Tank I have had my 55g tank for about a month now. Everything is doing great, except that I've realized that my sand bed is not deep enough. My small hermit crabs, if they mess around in the same spot long enough, can uncover the bottom of the tank. The sand is probably a little less than half an inch deep. I know this is bad, so I plan on taking everything out and adding more sand and a little bit of crushed coral tomorrow. But will adding more live sand start a cycle? And if it does how long? Should I use dry sand? Lol help

09/12/2015, 02:55 PM	#3
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	If you place a lot of dry sand in then yes, it will start a mini cycle. Just leave everything in place and add about 1/4 at a time about every 1-2weeks. Should be a small enough difference not to impact much. __________________ George Current Tank Info: JBJ 28g Nano / Aquamaxx HOB-1 / TLF 150 with GFO/ Vortech MP10QD / JBJ ATO / In-Tank Basket / AI Hydra26

09/12/2015, 03:25 PM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Get some dry sand and rinse it well, then you can add some, maybe a 1/3 of the tank, wait a week a or two then add some more. I would skip the crushed coral. it can trap detritus causing you some headaches. just my two cents good luck. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

09/12/2015, 07:33 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I'd also do just dry sand, that should avoid any cycle issues, just add about half an inch to one half of tank at a time, that lets the life on top level to seed the new, add to other half a few day/week later. I would use a piece of PVC, like 2", cover one end w/ a plastic baggy w/ a rubber band, fill it up, place where you want it, use tongs or something to pull the rubber band and baggy off and sand will settle there w/out a sand storm. Always rinse first in clean RO/DI water. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

09/13/2015, 12:14 PM	#9
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a clipped-off brand new auto oil funnel stuck into 2" pvc pipe long enough to reach bottom. Don't try to spread it. Fish will do that. And replace it a little at a time, because new sand may leach phosphate and turn green with algae. If this happens, just let it run its course before adding more. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/12/2015, 02:51 PM	#2
Ryj27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Streator Illinois Posts: 7	I do have liverock, inverts, and fish so I'm hoping it won't start a long cycle. I don't even have another tank set up they could go in...

09/12/2015, 08:07 PM	#6
Ryj27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Streator Illinois Posts: 7	I'm afraid the rock will get buried in sand

09/14/2015, 09:14 PM	#10
droog Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 736	You could also let it be. Shallow sand is not necessarily "bad" - plenty of folks here are successful with shallow sand beds. Many prefer the look and find it its easier to keep clean. About a month is not really established yet. This is about the time you may start to see cyano, hair algae, other nasties. Lots of learning opportunities for you are "in the mail". Have a beer, enjoy your tank. Let the hermit crabs be. I'd leave the sand bed alone unless they form a union and go on collective clean-up-crew strike action. If you like to tinker, start measuring your nutrient levels (p04, no3) and check the directional trend. -droog