adding 1-2" sandbed to SPS shallow

[james1990]

I can't stand the bare bottom anymore. I could be shooting myself in the foot with the sand storm issue but I Need to see sand. My question is:

I'm going to use the method of sliding the sand down PVC slowly. Do I use the live sand with the live bacteria in it or just plain dry sand to my existing tank?

Any other precautions I need to take?

 

[CoralMeister]

I did the same exact thing a while back. Except that I took out the fine crappy sand and replaced it with CaribSea Aragonite Sand. Right out of the bag, I put a funnel in a PVC pipe and slowly lowered the sand all over the bottom of my tank. I had no re-cycle or anything like that. All SPS and fish all survived.

 

[piranhapat]

Sounds good to me. Use plain or live doesn't matter. Go slow

 

[h2o]

I always used the sand with bacteria in it with no problems
After I do a water change I save the water in a rubbermaid container
Then I throw the sand in there stirring it up to get all the dirt out ,then dump the water out and with a cup I put the sand in tru a pvc pipe turn off the flow when u do it. get the thickest filter sock u can get and put it on ,the tank will be spotless like nothing happen in 2 days

 

[prattreef]

Either would be fine. If you are going to use "dead" sand, you might want to consider holding it in a container in your sump for a few weeks to allow it to get coated in a bio-film. The bio-film among other things will help prevent it from blowing around so much.

 

[james1990]

thanks fellas, I liked h2o's method and I have the sand sitting in a bucket of water change water overnight till I start tomorrow. I have some frags that need placing before I do this. I will use the funnel/PVC as well.

hell, ill post a pic or two tomorrow night

 

[E.intheC]

It's going to get cloudy no matter what you do, but everything should be fine. I've removed and added sand a few times to existing tanks.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

As Randy said, let the sand "cure" in a sump for a while. Besides, if you put too much "dead" sand you may see a cyanobacteria bloom.

Alfred

 

[james1990]

How would I cure the sand in my sump? in a filter sock or something? I dont have much room to store a sandbed down there lol

 

[lnevo]

Randy said to put it in a container in the sump. If you put it in your sump its going to cure the same way it would cure in your DT. Randy mentioned in your sump it would get a bio-film, I'm assuming from the organics in the water which would allow it to settle quicker..

 

[MikeC]

How would I cure the sand in my sump? in a filter sock or something? I dont have much room to store a sandbed down there lol

IMOP use the live CaribSea Aragonite Sand and don't worry about the cyanobacteria bloom