Adding sand to an established tank?

[fishy929]

I started out with a pretty nice 3-4 inch DSB before the cyano breakout... :? After removing much of the sand with the cyano, I am looking to replace it. First of all, can this be done without kicking off another cycle? I really want to add about 3" of southdown mixed with live sand to the system. I'm not sure what kind of sand is in there now. How would I go about this without harming any of the inhabitants?

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[bowfront]

So why are you adding more sand to conquer the cyano? If so good luck, I don't think that's the answer but then again I'm not a DSB advocate.

 

[Anonymous]

Here is two ways:

1. take a piece of PVC pipe, like 2" and stand it in the tank. add sand slowly through the pipe. This way you can target specific areas

2. Take a very small bucket, fill part way with sand, fill the rest of the way with water. place a plate over bucket and lower into tank. When you get it to the bottom, take off the plate, and slowly tip bucket over.

Whichever method you use, there will be clouding.

This can be minimized by putting your sand in a quarantine tank and filtering it and letting it be colonized by bacteria.

That is how I did mine and it only took three days for the water to become crystal clear


Hope that helps

Bryan

 

[Reef_Monkey]

YEAH...I have a question on the same subject. I have about 40 pounds of crushed coral in my 55 gal FOWLR. I want to remove it and put in about 40-50 pound (for now) of live sand. How should I go about doing that. Should I just leave the coral in and pour it on top? Should I take out all the live rock and live stock and scoop out all the coral then put in the sand? Should I just mix it up? What's the best way to go about doing that...

*Sorry Fishy929 but your topic is perfect and I figured instead of starting a new one, I could just borrow yours. Don't be mad :x If you want me to get outta here, please let me know.

Thanks!
~Ed

 

[Reef_Monkey]

YEAH...I have a question on the same subject. I have about 40 pounds of crushed coral in my 55 gal FOWLR. I want to remove it and put in about 40-50 pound (for now) of live sand. How should I go about doing that. Should I just leave the coral in and pour it on top? Should I take out all the live rock and live stock and scoop out all the coral then put in the sand? Should I just mix it up? What's the best way to go about doing that...

*Sorry Fishy929 but your topic is perfect and I figured instead of starting a new one, I could just borrow yours. Don't be mad :x If you want me to get outta here, please let me know.

Thanks!
~Ed

 

[Reef_Monkey]

Opps!! :lol: Sorry, didn't mean to post it twice.

 

[fishy929]

So why are you adding more sand to conquer the cyano?

I'm not looking for an answer to the cyano outbreak. I'm just looking to replace the sand that was removed because of the cyano outbreak. I figured while I was at it I would add sand to facilitate a true DSB.

Knucklehead,

Thanks for the tips. Actually, though, I am mostly concerned with the stability of the water in my tank with the addition of new sand. I suspect I will get the sand I want and cycle it in my 10G waterchange container if required. So my question would be...is it required 8O

Reef-Monkey,

You can stay. I ain't mad atcha

[/code]

 

[fishy929]

I suppose I should also say that my tank is pretty much stocked with inverts, fish and corals. I have 75lbs LR in a 55G. The LR is my only means of filtration (aside from carbon periodically), and I'm running a Aqua C skimmer.

 

[klingsa]

I am pretty much in the same situation as you are...lost sand over the years from removing algae. I have similar questions. I think it is a really good idea, though, to let the sand do any curing that it may need before adding it to the main tank. I think that this is what I am planning to do...I am not adding live sand, just crushed coral. So, I'm going to use Knucklehead's PVC suggestion, mix it in, and uncover any silted corals after things settle. But I'm definitely going to wash the hell out of the sand before any of that! If anyone here goes through this before I get to it, please give me some advice...you know, what not to do and so forth. Thanks!
Sara

 

[Joew]

I think you need to deal with what is causing the cyano, i had cyano but i didn't need to remove sand to get rid of it. You may still end up getting another outbreak. Deal with it man!

 

[Reef_Monkey]

So I should just mix the sand in with the crushed coral? If it doesn't matter, I would actually like to get rid on some of the crushed coral! Does the live sand have to cure?

 

[fishy929]

Nevermind... I'll post my questions on another board.