Adding sand to an established reef

ttam · 03/23/2015, 06:56 PM

I didn't know where to post this so if not in the right place then mods can move it.
So on to my question. I was wondering what the safest way to increase the depth of the sand bed without causing any problems or water quality issues.
Background:
45 jbj AIO
about 1" of sand at lowest and 2" at the very max
Lps and two RBTA
pair of percula clownfish
The reason for the increased sand bed is in preparation of a blue spot jawfish
If you need any more info just ask
thank you for your time.

Coralcandy · 03/23/2015, 07:06 PM

I don't think you will cause any issues at all. I just moved a 180 gallon tank and added sand without anything changing parameters. Just add it via a pipe so sand doesn't float onto you're corals calms ect.

Stevenliu9 · 03/23/2015, 07:08 PM

personally when I have added sand to my tank- patience is the key. don't just dump the whole thing in there at one. I rinse it really well in a bucket and then with a measuring cup I submerge the cup under water and slowly let the current carry the grains away from the cup so that sand doesn't get everywhere and cloud up the tank. I use pretty fine grain (not quite sugar grain) aragonite so I really take my tank, adding 1-2 cups each night and slowly build up the sand bed over the course of a week or two. Some others might think I am being too conservatively cautious but I do have clams in the tank (it was an upgrade) by the time I was adding sand so I wanted to induce minimal stress to the clams.

billdogg · 03/23/2015, 07:13 PM

Just did it this weekend. Here's how. First, rinse it rinse it again, and then 3 or 4 more times! You really don't want a dust storm in your tank. Next turn off ALL pumps and allow the water to settle down. I used that time to do a good water change. To place the now well washed sand into the tank I used a 1qt Tupperware container filled to the top with wet sand. Lower it into the tank slowly so you Don't stir it up. At the bottom slowly tilt the container and just pour it where you want it. The small sandstorm that did kick up was gone within an hour.
Hth

ttam · 03/23/2015, 07:21 PM

Forgot to mention the tank has been up and running for over a year

bundybear1981 · 03/24/2015, 01:54 AM

Its fairly easy to add sand to an established tank. As mentioned make sure the sand is well washed. I would turn the pumps off then use a length of PVC pipe and slowly pour the wet sand down the pipe, with the bottom of the pipe just off the sand bed. Its a slow process but not too hard

03/23/2015, 06:56 PM	#1
ttam Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 87	Adding sand to an established reef I didn't know where to post this so if not in the right place then mods can move it. So on to my question. I was wondering what the safest way to increase the depth of the sand bed without causing any problems or water quality issues. Background: 45 jbj AIO about 1" of sand at lowest and 2" at the very max Lps and two RBTA pair of percula clownfish The reason for the increased sand bed is in preparation of a blue spot jawfish If you need any more info just ask thank you for your time.

03/23/2015, 07:08 PM	#3
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	personally when I have added sand to my tank- patience is the key. don't just dump the whole thing in there at one. I rinse it really well in a bucket and then with a measuring cup I submerge the cup under water and slowly let the current carry the grains away from the cup so that sand doesn't get everywhere and cloud up the tank. I use pretty fine grain (not quite sugar grain) aragonite so I really take my tank, adding 1-2 cups each night and slowly build up the sand bed over the course of a week or two. Some others might think I am being too conservatively cautious but I do have clams in the tank (it was an upgrade) by the time I was adding sand so I wanted to induce minimal stress to the clams. __________________ Steven Liu See More at: bluemarineart.com Current Tank Info: 180 Mix Reef + 28G Seahorse Species Tank

03/23/2015, 07:13 PM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Just did it this weekend. Here's how. First, rinse it rinse it again, and then 3 or 4 more times! You really don't want a dust storm in your tank. Next turn off ALL pumps and allow the water to settle down. I used that time to do a good water change. To place the now well washed sand into the tank I used a 1qt Tupperware container filled to the top with wet sand. Lower it into the tank slowly so you Don't stir it up. At the bottom slowly tilt the container and just pour it where you want it. The small sandstorm that did kick up was gone within an hour. Hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/24/2015, 01:54 AM	#6
bundybear1981 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Posts: 685 Blog Entries: 1	Its fairly easy to add sand to an established tank. As mentioned make sure the sand is well washed. I would turn the pumps off then use a length of PVC pipe and slowly pour the wet sand down the pipe, with the bottom of the pipe just off the sand bed. Its a slow process but not too hard __________________ Tank inhabitants : 2x Clownfish, 1x Blue Koran, 1x Foxface Lo, 1xCoral Beauty, 1x Blue Tang, 1x Sailfin Tang Current Tank Info: New Build : 250g (6x3x2) with 2x RW15 pumps, 2x 2200lph return pumps, Tunze ATO, Jebao Dosing Pump, AquaOne G220 Skimmer

03/23/2015, 07:06 PM	#2
Coralcandy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 4	I don't think you will cause any issues at all. I just moved a 180 gallon tank and added sand without anything changing parameters. Just add it via a pipe so sand doesn't float onto you're corals calms ect.

03/23/2015, 07:21 PM	#5
ttam Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 87	Forgot to mention the tank has been up and running for over a year