putting new sand over some already established sand.

coryjac0b · 09/11/2007, 08:20 AM

There are some parts of my tank where the sand has been pushed away from the powerheads, mostly right in front all the way to the glass bottom.

The area is bare about 18 inches long by about 4 inches deep.

Is it ok to add more sand to the area where it has been pushed way?

schutzstaffel · 09/11/2007, 08:35 AM

It's fine to add to the bare spot, just don't put sand over the existing sand, if you have to do that either mix it all together really well or move the existing to one side and add new to the other side.

Travis L. Stevens · 09/11/2007, 09:07 AM

You can add sand over existing sand, but it's safest not to do it over .25" per day.

goldmaniac · 09/11/2007, 09:57 AM

My 'fuge is a little low on sand, i've been meaning to add more. Right now, I have 2" - 3" of Kent's BioSubstrate, and when i trimmed my Caulerpa last night, LOTS of nitrogen bubbles. The sand wasn't packed, there was so much air bubbles in the sand.

So I can't just dump another half inch or inch onto it? I would hate to to rip up all my caulerpa, mix the sand well, and replant.

G.

Travis L. Stevens · 09/11/2007, 10:06 AM

goldmaniac, it's not really the caulerpa that you would need to worry about, it's the sandbed fauna being buried and not being able to crawl out. In addition, there will be a shift in population density of bacteria. The deepest bacteria would then become anaerobic, and the aerobic bacteria will die. Basically, the layers will need to shift up.

Aquarist007 · 09/11/2007, 10:20 AM

I agree with Travis-----and through his advise I have been converting to a deep sand bed in the main tank. I have been using a piece of plasic pipe and just adding a cupful every second day to the substrate.

Travis---one question:
I have a large live rock on the substrate in front of the reef-- 1/2 inch substrate underneath--is it worth disturbing the rock(lifting it up) and adding substrate underneath---or just building up the substrate around it?

goldmaniac · 09/11/2007, 10:21 AM

I'm thinking that 2"-3" of sand might just be fine.

my caulerpa is keeping nitrates down around 5, with no skimmer. 3 + years after switching to refugium w/ no skimmer, it's finally working nicely. I'll leave it alone.

thanks, Travis.

Eric G.

Aquarist007 · 09/11/2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by coryjac0b
There are some parts of my tank where the sand has been pushed away from the powerheads, mostly right in front all the way to the glass bottom.

The area is bare about 18 inches long by about 4 inches deep.

Is it ok to add more sand to the area where it has been pushed way?

similar question--have a large area in front of a rock that is housing an anemome---the clarkie is constantly brushing away the substrate--------is adding a good size beach pebble in that area ok?

Aquarist007 · 09/11/2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I agree with Travis-----and through his advise I have been converting to a deep sand bed in the main tank. I have been using a piece of plasic pipe and just adding a cupful every second day to the substrate.

Travis---one question:
I have a large live rock on the substrate in front of the reef-- 1/2 inch substrate underneath--is it worth disturbing the rock(lifting it up) and adding substrate underneath---or just building up the substrate around it?

sorry here's what I mean--the rock to the right and the rock to the left with the anenome?

09/11/2007, 08:20 AM	#1
coryjac0b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 823	putting new sand over some already established sand. There are some parts of my tank where the sand has been pushed away from the powerheads, mostly right in front all the way to the glass bottom. The area is bare about 18 inches long by about 4 inches deep. Is it ok to add more sand to the area where it has been pushed way?

09/11/2007, 09:07 AM	#3
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	You can add sand over existing sand, but it's safest not to do it over .25" per day. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

09/11/2007, 10:06 AM	#5
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	goldmaniac, it's not really the caulerpa that you would need to worry about, it's the sandbed fauna being buried and not being able to crawl out. In addition, there will be a shift in population density of bacteria. The deepest bacteria would then become anaerobic, and the aerobic bacteria will die. Basically, the layers will need to shift up. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

09/11/2007, 10:20 AM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I agree with Travis-----and through his advise I have been converting to a deep sand bed in the main tank. I have been using a piece of plasic pipe and just adding a cupful every second day to the substrate. Travis---one question: I have a large live rock on the substrate in front of the reef-- 1/2 inch substrate underneath--is it worth disturbing the rock(lifting it up) and adding substrate underneath---or just building up the substrate around it? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/11/2007, 08:35 AM	#2
schutzstaffel Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 19	It's fine to add to the bare spot, just don't put sand over the existing sand, if you have to do that either mix it all together really well or move the existing to one side and add new to the other side.

09/11/2007, 09:57 AM	#4
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	My 'fuge is a little low on sand, i've been meaning to add more. Right now, I have 2" - 3" of Kent's BioSubstrate, and when i trimmed my Caulerpa last night, LOTS of nitrogen bubbles. The sand wasn't packed, there was so much air bubbles in the sand. So I can't just dump another half inch or inch onto it? I would hate to to rip up all my caulerpa, mix the sand well, and replant. G.

09/11/2007, 10:21 AM	#7
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	I'm thinking that 2"-3" of sand might just be fine. my caulerpa is keeping nitrates down around 5, with no skimmer. 3 + years after switching to refugium w/ no skimmer, it's finally working nicely. I'll leave it alone. thanks, Travis. Eric G.