adding addition sand depth?

lines_michael · 03/08/2007, 12:22 PM

If I wanted to add an addition 2-3 inches of sand in my reef tank, what is the best sand to add.

Should it all be live sand or part argonite and part live sand?

Any recommedations?

papagimp · 03/08/2007, 12:43 PM

Is there any livestock in the tank right now? If not, isn't going to matter what sand you use.

if you have current livestock. Go live sand and add about half now, half later. Go with non live sand, add about 1/4 here and 1/4 there, so forth and so on. Just give the new sand time to build the bacteria needs, as adding it on top of currently live sand will in all likelyhood kill off a bit of bacteria growing in there.

Rinse it well before placing in the tank, and have a filter ready to pull out any dust or floating particulate matter.

bbehring · 03/08/2007, 12:46 PM

Not knowing how deep your sand bed is already or what type of sand? I'd add argonite. Add 1/2" every other week. I've taken a 2" piece of 2'-6" long PVC and cut a 1 gallonn bottle to act as a funnel. Then duct taped the funnel to the PVC at one end. This allows you to pour the sand very slowly and get it down to the bed level via the long PVC. Works like a charm and keeps the sand storm to a minimum.

lines_michael · 03/08/2007, 12:55 PM

I only have about 1 to 1.5 inches right now.

Is there a difference in the grade of sand I should be looking for?

bbehring · 03/08/2007, 01:06 PM

yep, look for oolithic or Sugar Sized here's a link to the Carb Sea product.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=CS0930

Also RC has a sand depth calculator here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.php

lines_michael · 03/08/2007, 01:08 PM

thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.

03/08/2007, 12:22 PM	#1
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	adding addition sand depth? If I wanted to add an addition 2-3 inches of sand in my reef tank, what is the best sand to add. Should it all be live sand or part argonite and part live sand? Any recommedations?

03/08/2007, 12:43 PM	#2
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Is there any livestock in the tank right now? If not, isn't going to matter what sand you use. if you have current livestock. Go live sand and add about half now, half later. Go with non live sand, add about 1/4 here and 1/4 there, so forth and so on. Just give the new sand time to build the bacteria needs, as adding it on top of currently live sand will in all likelyhood kill off a bit of bacteria growing in there. Rinse it well before placing in the tank, and have a filter ready to pull out any dust or floating particulate matter. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

03/08/2007, 12:46 PM	#3
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	Not knowing how deep your sand bed is already or what type of sand? I'd add argonite. Add 1/2" every other week. I've taken a 2" piece of 2'-6" long PVC and cut a 1 gallonn bottle to act as a funnel. Then duct taped the funnel to the PVC at one end. This allows you to pour the sand very slowly and get it down to the bed level via the long PVC. Works like a charm and keeps the sand storm to a minimum.

03/08/2007, 12:55 PM	#4
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	I only have about 1 to 1.5 inches right now. Is there a difference in the grade of sand I should be looking for?

03/08/2007, 01:06 PM	#5
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	yep, look for oolithic or Sugar Sized here's a link to the Carb Sea product. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=CS0930 Also RC has a sand depth calculator here: http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.php

03/08/2007, 01:08 PM	#6
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.