Can you add new substrate over old?

[justin howley]

When I setup my nano fluval edge, I bought the sugar sand style active aragonite. It's a PITA to keep clean even with a good clean up crew. I wanted to buy new substrate larger maybe crushed coral? Can I do this without having a major effect on its inhabitants or creating a new cycle?

 

[Levito]

You can add new substrate, but go with dry sand and not something live. Adding live sand will likely cause a small cycle. I would go with larger grain aragonite and not crushed coral, as most people end up regretting it. The general complaint is that it traps debris and is a nitrate factory.

 

[THEDLO]

make sure u rinse thoroughly.

 

[guarda]

I wouldn't add it all at once, just to be safe. In my 20 gallon, I did a handful every 2 days over a week without incident.