Adding live sand to established tank

Darth Wader · 05/28/2008, 10:26 AM

So my tank has been up and running for about 2 years now and I've been thinking about adding live sand to the tank. I love the look of sand and it would also give me the opportunity to redo some of my aquascaping. I added sand about a year ago and I had a huge algae bloom and ended up taking all the sand out over a few month period. I was wondering if anybody has added live sand to an established tank and if it went well. Any tips or ways to do it without it having negative effects would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Darth

buck50bmg · 05/28/2008, 10:42 AM

Well you will still have a cycle. So consider that for any livestock in the tank. If you go slow then it should be OK. I would get it wet, put it in a ziploc and put the bag in the tank bottom, open the bag and gently let the sand into the tank.

Just go slow. You might also have a brown algae breakout from the silica.

Jen D · 05/28/2008, 10:51 AM

I added dry sand to my 29g with no major problems. I put in 1-2 cups every 2-3 days until it was how I wanted it. I think it took a month or two to get it all in.

Darth Wader · 05/28/2008, 10:53 AM

Yea last time I added all the sand at once and thats totally why I had a huge algae bloom. This weekend I'm going to do a big water change and maybe redo so or my rockwork and then decide if I will add sand.
Any other tips out there?

skippy2 · 05/28/2008, 11:43 AM

I've never done it but have heard to put the sand in panty hose and after that is been in the tank for a day or so, to release it. That is supposed to alleviate a sand storm.

05/28/2008, 10:26 AM	#1
Darth Wader Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 263	Adding live sand to established tank So my tank has been up and running for about 2 years now and I've been thinking about adding live sand to the tank. I love the look of sand and it would also give me the opportunity to redo some of my aquascaping. I added sand about a year ago and I had a huge algae bloom and ended up taking all the sand out over a few month period. I was wondering if anybody has added live sand to an established tank and if it went well. Any tips or ways to do it without it having negative effects would be much appreciated. Thanks, Darth

05/28/2008, 11:43 AM	#5
skippy2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 3,205	I've never done it but have heard to put the sand in panty hose and after that is been in the tank for a day or so, to release it. That is supposed to alleviate a sand storm. __________________ Peggy Current Tank Info: no tank

05/28/2008, 10:42 AM	#2
buck50bmg Moved On Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 792	Well you will still have a cycle. So consider that for any livestock in the tank. If you go slow then it should be OK. I would get it wet, put it in a ziploc and put the bag in the tank bottom, open the bag and gently let the sand into the tank. Just go slow. You might also have a brown algae breakout from the silica.

05/28/2008, 10:51 AM	#3
Jen D Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central IA Posts: 165	I added dry sand to my 29g with no major problems. I put in 1-2 cups every 2-3 days until it was how I wanted it. I think it took a month or two to get it all in.

05/28/2008, 10:53 AM	#4
Darth Wader Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 263	Yea last time I added all the sand at once and thats totally why I had a huge algae bloom. This weekend I'm going to do a big water change and maybe redo so or my rockwork and then decide if I will add sand. Any other tips out there?