Add more sand to an established tank?

[jabberkaycee]

I put a lot of thought and planning into my latest tank but didn't really think too much about the sand. I had fiji pink live sand picked out but my LFS talked me into using another live sand. This sand has small particles in it that rise to the top once the fine sand sifts due to water current. These larger particles now have coralline algae on them and look like little rocks all over the sand bed - definitely not the look I was going for.

My sandbed is about 1 1/2 inches thick. Would it hurt to add another 1/2 inch of fine sand to cover the small rocks? I've tried removing them but that is impossible. Will adding more sand disrupt the balance and cause a mini cycle? My tanks is about 8 months old btw.

 

[Jcr's Reef]

Adding more sand isn't really going to solve what you are not liking about it now. The fine sand will still sift below the bigger pieces leaving them exposed.

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

You can syphon out the sand you don't like and add other sand, I'd just recommend doing it all slowly. I'd get creative about getting the new sand to the bottom of the tank without creating a sandstorm. The best idea I have is ziplock baggies and a razor blade to cut the bag away, but tupperware would work, too.

 

[cccharliecc]

I've added more sand by using a piece of 2'' PVC tubing and then slowly pour the sand in the top and direct it where you want it to go on the bottom.
Make sure all your pumps are off.

 

[Murfman]

I've added more sand by using a piece of 2'' PVC tubing and then slowly pour the sand in the top and direct it where you want it to go on the bottom.
Make sure all your pumps are off.

I have used this method as well. Wet the sand before you pour it down the PVC and that gives it a chance to settle. As stated above though, you are not going to solve the issue as the finer particulate is going to be skimmed off, settle in your sump/fuge and blown around due to current.

 

[Michael7979]

I would say it is best to remove the "little rocks" that you don't like somehow, either by hand or syphon.
Just remember it's your tank and you are the only one that has to be truely happy with it. So if that means removing them, do so.

I too have used the pvc pipe method as stated above. Works good.

 

[butts182]

As others said, you must remove the larger sand before putting smaller grain size sand in. Otherwise the smaller fiji pink sand will fill the voids between the larger particles and quickly fall to the bottom of the sandbed. You need to remove the older, larger sand.

 

[jabberkaycee]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I guess I knew the answer but was hoping someone else had success. I'll continue to remove the larger pieces. I should have them all removed within a couple of years :).