adding DRy sand into Established tank

[shorjai]

hi i am wondering if its okay for me to add DRY sand into a established tank??? will it effect my cycle or other stuff????thxs

 

[ShaunW]

It shouldn't affect the system IMO, but it depends what you call "established". Do you have sand now, or is your tank BB at the moment? Adding sand to a BB tank is better than adding additional sand to a sand containing one.

The sand will cause create alot of surface area for bacteria to grow and live so you will get a bacterial growth increase, but that will be almost un-observable and it is a good thing.

Use a cup to slowly add the sand so you don't get a sand storm in the tank by just dumping it in.

 

[shorjai]

the tank is BB right now.. so adding dry sand shouldnt be a problem at all...thxs man

 

[ShaunW]

the tank is BB right now.. so adding dry sand shouldnt be a problem at all...thxs man

Then it will be no problem at all. Good luck, .

 

[meschaefer]

You can also use a length of PVC pipe to help keep the ineveitable dust storm to a minimum, place the pipe into the tank with one end of the pipe touching the bottom of the tank and the other end sticking out of the water. pour the sand into the pipe.

 

[duke62]

rinse the sand first.that will help alot

 

[reefman]

your new sand will go thru a "cycle" until it gets cultured and becomes "live sand". go slow n gradually increase sand. if your system is established, it can adjust to handle the cycle. u will need some sand sifters to maintain the sand.(ie nass snails,brittle stars,cucumbers,etc)

 

[masterswimmer]

What type of sand are you going to add? If you're adding a sand that is a calcium carbonate, you should add it slowly (after rinsing btw). If you're adding a sand like Caribsea Aragalive, then adding it all at once is fine.

I agree with Matt. I've added sand 'after the fact' and used the wide diameter pvc method. It worked fantastic. Not even the slightest sandstorm whatsoever.

swimmer

 

[shorjai]

i am adding dry Caribsea Aragalive pink fiji sand

 

[ShaunW]

your new sand will go thru a "cycle" until it gets cultured and becomes "live sand". go slow n gradually increase sand. if your system is established, it can adjust to handle the cycle. u will need some sand sifters to maintain the sand.(ie nass snails,brittle stars,cucumbers,etc)

I respectfully disagree. Adding sand to the tank slowly will just prolong the inevitable functionality of the sand bed. I am assuming the reason for adding sand is two fold: 1. looks and 2. denitrification. If you add it slowly you will extend the time before an anaerobic/microaerophilic environment occurs. Why not just get it going ASAP? His tank is established so there should not be any significant N-cycle due to the live rock.

With an initially fully added DSB, bacteria are going to take time anyway to inoculate the inner reaches of the DSB, i.e. wait till it gets low in oxygen, so it is going to gradually "cycle" no matter what.

 

[Wolverine57]

dry Caribsea Aragalive pink fiji sand

i am adding dry Caribsea Aragalive pink fiji sand

Hey dude, did you ever put that dry Caribsea Aragalive pink fiji sand in your tank? If so...how long ago? Hows it working for you? Pics!

 

[drperetz]

....

Good advice on washing the sand...(with ro/di water preferably). Does help a lot..

FRom my experience the new sand in an astablished tank will go through a cycle but like Solbby said and invisible 1...