Pros and Cons of Sand

[Deep Dive Coral]

fine sand gets blown around much more easily...i used this LINK

can i add this to an existing tank. or will the sand ned to be cycled first... i am upgradeing to a 180 and i want to cover all grounds first.

 

[itsaNYthing]

i run a super thick sand bed with fiji white (super fine) and i love it, i got 2 koralia 3's and it dosnt get blown around at all, i like thick sandbeds because you can make an awsome terrain with it, and if your looking to make tunnel's and caves it really does help out alot.

fyi i have a 72 bow with 125lbs of fine fiji white.

 

[itsaNYthing]

can i add this to an existing tank. or will the sand ned to be cycled first... i am upgradeing to a 180 and i want to cover all grounds first.

if your upgrading to a new tank, just put it in from the start so you can cycle the tank and sand.

 

[THEDLO]

I'm not sure if it would cause I cycle cause I added the second batch 2 weeks into my cycling so I don't want to say yes, but that was just an example on the texture I use.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

well the thing is im trying to avoid a cycle... its an existing 125 going into a 180.

 

[itsaNYthing]

I'm not sure if it would cause I cycle cause I added the second batch 2 weeks into my cycling so I don't want to say yes, but that was just an example on the texture I use.

thedlo i love your aquascaping.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

i like the texture of the sand. and for 25$ a bag i will need 5 bags for a 2" sandbed in my 180. i just dont want to recycle the whole tank. i would rater let the sand cycle b4 hand... you know.

 

[guarda]

Not sure if the same dynamics apply to larger tanks but i went from a 14 to 12 to 20 in a matter of months and each time I simply used new sand plus a handful of the old sand in the middle of the tank. Haven't had a cycle or minicycle yet.

well the thing is im trying to avoid a cycle... its an existing 125 going into a 180.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

ok well that is a start in the right direction thanks guarda

 

[Imbarrie]

I bought my first sand from petco online.

If its over a certain amount there is free shipping and you can return the extra at a store. Or sell it in here.

 

[djxtc21]

fine sand = more surface area = better bacteria/organism coverage

but the difference may be negligable, i only have experience with fine sand

 

[THEDLO]

ur going to get a small cycle regardless, but nothing like when u first started the tank, just some detritus one the rocks

 

[THEDLO]

thedlo i love your aquascaping.

thanks buddy, i did it to maximize flow through the rocks, as well as a view of the back for maintainable purposes.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

ok thanks. i dont need to worry about like an amonia spike right?

 

[THEDLO]

ok thanks. i dont need to worry about like an amonia spike right?

nah only if there's is major die off like if the LR is out of water too long.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

nah only if there's is major die off like if the LR is out of water too long.

rock is going from 1 tank to the other right away no dry time at all.

now the sand you linked is not live sand right? or am misinterpreting the reading on the site.

 

[THEDLO]

that bag is not....but i posted a link to that for an example of the texture i prefer and recommend

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

so if i add sand that is not alive then there is no chance for die off or a cycle. only bacteria growth.... correct me if im wrong. just will need some donations from someone with live sand to seed it.lol

 

[THEDLO]

so if i add sand that is not alive then there is no chance for die off or a cycle. only bacteria growth.... correct me if im wrong. just will need some donations from someone with live sand to seed it.lol

correct but make sure u rinse thoroughly, ur not using the sand from ur current settup?

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

current setup is bare bottom

correct but make sure u rinse thoroughly, ur not using the sand from ur current settup?