What's the best way to add sand to an existing system?

lakwriter · 10/19/2007, 03:16 PM

I want to add another inch or so to my existing 3" sand bed (established approx. 10 months). What is the best method and sand to do this? Live vs. not? All at once vs. staggered addition?

Is there a preferred brand/type to add to existing systems?

Thanks!

rustybucket145 · 10/19/2007, 03:18 PM

ummm... dump it in

Seriously though, you just want to keep cloudiness to a minimum. I'd use a gallon pitcher, fill it 3/4 with said sand slowly submerge into tank, lower to bottom and slowly dump out. You can do it all at once for a couple of inches... even more with no ill effects.

Brand and type are pretty much just based on visual preference.

Kannin · 10/19/2007, 03:20 PM

And, then slowly run your fingers thru it like a rake.

Dingo Dog · 10/19/2007, 03:23 PM

You didn't mention what size tank you have. If you have a smaller tank, you might try the transfer using a 1 gallon zip lock type plastic bag.

mattnano · 10/19/2007, 03:34 PM

also try useing a HOB filter with some filter floss in it(pillow stuffing) to make the water crystal cleal

flyguy7150 · 10/19/2007, 03:36 PM

i use a long pvc pipe and a funnel

yellowwatchmen · 10/19/2007, 03:50 PM

I would put a little on the bottom and gently mix it in. You do not want "cap" the existing sand. If you just put it in on top of the existing sand it could cause problems. I like the aragonit by caribasea.

lakwriter · 10/19/2007, 03:56 PM

wow, I like the ziplock bag and PVC suggestions. Thanks!

Roy G. Biv · 10/19/2007, 04:08 PM

Woooo.

uscharalph · 10/19/2007, 04:26 PM

I've used a big mug and moved it to the bottom, then turned it over.

uscharalph · 10/19/2007, 04:33 PM

I've used a big mug and moved it to the bottom, then turned it over.

Roy G. Biv · 10/19/2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uscharalph
I've used a big mug and moved it to the bottom, then turned it over.

Something bad had to happen.. That was 7 minutes betwen duplicate posts!

drstupid · 10/19/2007, 06:50 PM

maybe he had a big mug and had to turn it over... (sorry, it's happy hour here)

i add sand slowly, say three or four days to add a bag to bolster my DSB. i turn off the pumps, and add it like uscharalph does. i've got pretty strong flow in my tank, and fresh sand goes everywhere, it needs a little time to get gooked up with bacteria and stuff and settle itself down. this is my main reason for doing it slowly.

i also run a cannister filter with carbon off my sump while doing this, it helps clear the water and it's something i like to do for a week every now and then anyways.

10/19/2007, 03:16 PM	#1
lakwriter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 562	What's the best way to add sand to an existing system? I want to add another inch or so to my existing 3" sand bed (established approx. 10 months). What is the best method and sand to do this? Live vs. not? All at once vs. staggered addition? Is there a preferred brand/type to add to existing systems? Thanks! __________________ And this, too, shall pass... 29 g FOWLR 37# LR, 35# LS 2 green chromis 2 ocellaris clowns a very social peppermint shrimp and various snails and hermits

10/19/2007, 03:18 PM	#2
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	ummm... dump it in Seriously though, you just want to keep cloudiness to a minimum. I'd use a gallon pitcher, fill it 3/4 with said sand slowly submerge into tank, lower to bottom and slowly dump out. You can do it all at once for a couple of inches... even more with no ill effects. Brand and type are pretty much just based on visual preference. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

10/19/2007, 03:20 PM	#3
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	And, then slowly run your fingers thru it like a rake. __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

10/19/2007, 03:36 PM	#6
flyguy7150 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines Posts: 895	i use a long pvc pipe and a funnel __________________ Leo Click on my red house to see my 90g RR tank :) Tons of pictures, tons... Click!!! Current Tank Info: 90g AGA Reef Ready, 6x54w T5s w/ SLRs, 29g Sump/fuge, OR 2500 Return, Octopus NW150, 2 x TLF Phosban Reactor, Koralia #1, #4, MJ Modded

10/19/2007, 03:56 PM	#8
lakwriter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 562	wow, I like the ziplock bag and PVC suggestions. Thanks! __________________ And this, too, shall pass... 29 g FOWLR 37# LR, 35# LS 2 green chromis 2 ocellaris clowns a very social peppermint shrimp and various snails and hermits

10/19/2007, 03:23 PM	#4
Dingo Dog Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 432	You didn't mention what size tank you have. If you have a smaller tank, you might try the transfer using a 1 gallon zip lock type plastic bag.

10/19/2007, 03:34 PM	#5
mattnano Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 184	also try useing a HOB filter with some filter floss in it(pillow stuffing) to make the water crystal cleal

10/19/2007, 03:50 PM	#7
yellowwatchmen Moved On Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bellevue,NE Posts: 1,058	I would put a little on the bottom and gently mix it in. You do not want "cap" the existing sand. If you just put it in on top of the existing sand it could cause problems. I like the aragonit by caribasea.

10/19/2007, 04:08 PM	#9
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	Woooo.

10/19/2007, 04:26 PM	#10
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	I've used a big mug and moved it to the bottom, then turned it over. __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank

10/19/2007, 04:33 PM	#11
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	I've used a big mug and moved it to the bottom, then turned it over. __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank

10/19/2007, 06:50 PM	#13
drstupid Aquarist emeritus Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Narberth, PA Posts: 760	maybe he had a big mug and had to turn it over... (sorry, it's happy hour here) i add sand slowly, say three or four days to add a bag to bolster my DSB. i turn off the pumps, and add it like uscharalph does. i've got pretty strong flow in my tank, and fresh sand goes everywhere, it needs a little time to get gooked up with bacteria and stuff and settle itself down. this is my main reason for doing it slowly. i also run a cannister filter with carbon off my sump while doing this, it helps clear the water and it's something i like to do for a week every now and then anyways. __________________ i'm not a real doctor, i just play one on tv. Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2429266