Adding sand to existing tank ?

[me & my baby]

My tank has been cycled for almost 2 months . I have a few fish , snails , crabs and a tuxedo urchin. I am not happy with my sand and I wanted to add some morning the ocean direct live sand . My question is the sand can not be rinsed but I know when I add it , it’s going to make my tank extremely cloudy with silt . Could that have any effect on my fish and inverts ?

 

[Mike7744]

My tank has been cycled for almost 2 months . I have a few fish , snails , crabs and a tuxedo urchin. I am not happy with my sand and I wanted to add some morning the ocean direct live sand . My question is the sand can not be rinsed but I know when I add it , it’s going to make my tank extremely cloudy with silt . Could that have any effect on my fish and inverts ?

You will be fine, just add the sand in small quantities below water level.
Don't rinse the live sand, just add it to the aquarium.
Yes the water will get cloudy, like milk but it will clear in a day or so.

 

[Euphyllia098]

Just use a cup or bowl to add it and don't dump it in, but rather slowly lower the cup to the bottom of the tank and then slowly dump it. It will stir up some stuff, but not much.

The other option is using a long tube, like the tube on a gravel vacuum to dump the sand directly to the bottom. I've done both ways without stirring up much.

 

[me & my baby]

I had thought about just putting the whole bag in and then cutting it and sliding the bag out . But with what both of you guys have said Inhave some ideas . Thank You

 

[Reef Jedi]

Just use a cup or bowl to add it and don't dump it in, but rather slowly lower the cup to the bottom of the tank and then slowly dump it. It will stir up some stuff, but not much.

The other option is using a long tube, like the tube on a gravel vacuum to dump the sand directly to the bottom. I've done both ways without stirring up much.

These are the best ways to do it. Far less cloud and it’ll clear up real quick if you do get some disturbance. But these ways have always been my go to.

 

[mfinn]

I use a piece of pvc pipe ( long enough to go to the bottom and above the water line) and funnel.
Add a cup at a time to the funnel and let it slowly pour out on the bottom.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm going to offer some possibly unpopular advice here

The Ocean Direct sand is, I believe, the *best* live-sand-in-a-bag product as far as it contains the most diverse collection of microbes. I'm not saying all those microbes survive or would be beneficial to a tank in the long-term, but again, this live-sand-in-a-bag has the most microbes compared to other live-sands-in-a-bag, as per the BRS testing.

The Ocean Direct sand is also full of silt

Personally, I don't consider these live-sands-in-a-bag to be truly live sand. I consider these sands to be dry sands, with some bottled bacteria added.

With that in mind, I would: A) Pick another sand. The benefits of this Ocean Direct sand I believe are marginal, and I wouldn't worry about preserving the microbiome that it may or may not come with. Other sands-in-a-bag are quite a bit cleaner, as far as the silt. I would honestly treat all live-sands-in-a-bag as dry sands with bottled bacteria.

Or B) Rinse the sand. You can rinse it in full saltwater if you're concerned with preserving the bacteria it may or may not have. Or, you can rinse it in tap water, or some people use RODI water. You're just trying to get the silt out, the bacteria will come back in your tank.

Or C) Consider *real* live sand from a mariculture facility like Tampa Bay Saltwater. This sand is truly live, it comes with a wide variety of macro and micro critters that many reefers believe goes a long way to starting your tank off with the best start.

Behold!
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/ultra-live-sand

 

[higher99]

That tampa

I'm going to offer some possibly unpopular advice here

The Ocean Direct sand is, I believe, the *best* live-sand-in-a-bag product as far as it contains the most diverse collection of microbes. I'm not saying all those microbes survive or would be beneficial to a tank in the long-term, but again, this live-sand-in-a-bag has the most microbes compared to other live-sands-in-a-bag, as per the BRS testing.

The Ocean Direct sand is also full of silt

Personally, I don't consider these live-sands-in-a-bag to be truly live sand. I consider these sands to be dry sands, with some bottled bacteria added.

With that in mind, I would: A) Pick another sand. The benefits of this Ocean Direct sand I believe are marginal, and I wouldn't worry about preserving the microbiome that it may or may not come with. Other sands-in-a-bag are quite a bit cleaner, as far as the silt. I would honestly treat all live-sands-in-a-bag as dry sands with bottled bacteria.

Or B) Rinse the sand. You can rinse it in full saltwater if you're concerned with preserving the bacteria it may or may not have. Or, you can rinse it in tap water, or some people use RODI water. You're just trying to get the silt out, the bacteria will come back in your tank.

Or C) Consider *real* live sand from a mariculture facility like Tampa Bay Saltwater. This sand is truly live, it comes with a wide variety of macro and micro critters that many reefers believe goes a long way to starting your tank off with the best start.

Behold!
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/ultra-live-sand

I'd love to use TBS sand and live rocks for like a macro algae tank... Maybe coldwater with a spotted jawfish or seahorses. This hobby gets out of hand real quick, it's one idea after the other haha

 

[Fish Fan]

That tampa

I'd love to use TBS sand and live rocks for like a macro algae tank... Maybe coldwater with a spotted jawfish or seahorses. This hobby gets out of hand real quick, it's one idea after the other haha

TBS rock and sands are absolutely awesome, you wouldn't be disappointed

 

[me & my baby]

I'm going to offer some possibly unpopular advice here

The Ocean Direct sand is, I believe, the *best* live-sand-in-a-bag product as far as it contains the most diverse collection of microbes. I'm not saying all those microbes survive or would be beneficial to a tank in the long-term, but again, this live-sand-in-a-bag has the most microbes compared to other live-sands-in-a-bag, as per the BRS testing.

The Ocean Direct sand is also full of silt

Personally, I don't consider these live-sands-in-a-bag to be truly live sand. I consider these sands to be dry sands, with some bottled bacteria added.

With that in mind, I would: A) Pick another sand. The benefits of this Ocean Direct sand I believe are marginal, and I wouldn't worry about preserving the microbiome that it may or may not come with. Other sands-in-a-bag are quite a bit cleaner, as far as the silt. I would honestly treat all live-sands-in-a-bag as dry sands with bottled bacteria.

Or B) Rinse the sand. You can rinse it in full saltwater if you're concerned with preserving the bacteria it may or may not have. Or, you can rinse it in tap water, or some people use RODI water. You're just trying to get the silt out, the bacteria will come back in your tank.

Or C) Consider *real* live sand from a mariculture facility like Tampa Bay Saltwater. This sand is truly live, it comes with a wide variety of macro and micro critters that many reefers believe goes a long way to starting your tank off with the best start.

Behold!
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/ultra-live-sand

It’s funny I lived Florida for 20years and when you went to any fish store that sold live rock Tampa Bay was the cheapest and I mean cheap . I have had there rock and I also had to deal with all the pest that come with it . Fire worms , gorilla crabs and in and on . You used to be able to go to there facility back in the day and I bought rock directly from the previous owner . The silt doesn’t bother me it’s in all live sand and TB charging 165.00 plus shipping for 20lbs of live sand is a joke . I understand how inflation works and I also understand the lack of other options lets TB charge what ever they want for live sand and rock .

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s funny I lived Florida for 20years and when you went to any fish store that sold live rock Tampa Bay was the cheapest and I mean cheap . I have had there rock and I also had to deal with all the pest that come with it . Fire worms , gorilla crabs and in and on . You used to be able to go to there facility back in the day and I bought rock directly from the previous owner . The silt doesn’t bother me it’s in all live sand and TB charging 165.00 plus shipping for 20lbs of live sand is a joke . I understand how inflation works and I also understand the lack of other options lets TB charge what ever they want for live sand and rock .

I agree it's expensive, but I don't think there's anything better than TBS rock and sand. The stuff that comes in bags isn't even close

 

[me & my baby]

I agree it's expensive, but I don't think there's anything better than TBS rock and sand. The stuff that comes in bags isn't even close

What doesn’t compare , beneficial organisms or the pest . They both have there pros and cons . Adding something that does have some good bacteria or taking a chance on getting some type of pest that you have to fight to get rid of . You say there’s nothing better (Maybe because all the good live rock is exported anymore and that’s really your only option )The issue is there is no where near the options of good live rock anymore . I don’t know how long you have been in this hobby but if have been in for awhile you know the difference. I will not use there products. I have in the past and won’t use it again . I learned my lesson

 

[Freenow54]

I picked the sand ie crushed coral small enough for sand sifting gobies . They keep it clean

 

[Fish Fan]

What doesn’t compare , beneficial organisms or the pest . They both have there pros and cons . Adding something that does have some good bacteria or taking a chance on getting some type of pest that you have to fight to get rid of . You say there’s nothing better (Maybe because all the good live rock is exported anymore and that’s really your only option )The issue is there is no where near the options of good live rock anymore . I don’t know how long you have been in this hobby but if have been in for awhile you know the difference. I will not use there products. I have in the past and won’t use it again . I learned my lesson

I've been keeping saltwater tanks off and on since about 1984, freshwater even longer. I have zero problems with the potential pests that may or may not come with TBS rocks, there's nothing that can't be dealt with, in my experience

 

[me & my baby]

What doesn’t compare , beneficial organisms or the pest . They both have there pros and cons . Adding something that does have some good bacteria or taking a chance on getting some type of pest that you have to fight to get rid of . You say there’s nothing better (Maybe because all the good live rock is exported anymore and that’s really your only option )The issue is there is no where near the options of good live rock anymore . I don’t know how long you have been in this hobby but if have been in for awhile you know the difference. I will not use there products. I have in the past and won’t use it again . I learned my lesson

I've been keeping saltwater tanks off and on since about 1984, freshwater even longer. I have zero problems with the potential pests that may or may not come with TBS rocks, there's nothing that can't be dealt with, in my experience

Well if you have been in since 84 then you now that TB used to be the bottom of live rock . Does it have beneficial bacteria yes . Does it have a bunch sponges / filter feeders that die off . Can it harbor fire worms that when you find out you have to catch them or tear your rock apart to get them out when they start eating your fish . Do they harbor mantis shrimp , gorilla crab I can keep going on . The issue is there is really no other option for live rock and because of that doesn’t make it the best.

 

[me & my baby]

I agree it's expensive, but I don't think there's anything better than TBS rock and sand. The stuff that comes in bags isn't even close

What doesn’t compare , beneficial organisms or the pest . They both have there pros and cons . Adding something that does have some good bacteria or taking a chance on getting some type of pest that you have to fight to get rid of . The issue is there is no where near the options of good live rock anymore . I don’t know how long you have been in this hobby but if have been in for awhile you know the difference.

I picked the sand ie crushed coral small enough for sand sifting gobies . They keep it clean

 

[fishkat]

My tank has been cycled for almost 2 months . I have a few fish , snails , crabs and a tuxedo urchin. I am not happy with my sand and I wanted to add some morning the ocean direct live sand . My question is the sand can not be rinsed but I know when I add it , it’s going to make my tank extremely cloudy with silt . Could that have any effect on my fish and inverts ?

Be careful with live sand! I had to add sand to my 42g bowfront because I was syphoning sand out while cleaning the bottom and discarding it (dummy me)! I used caribsea live sand from my lfs and had a dyno outbreak that lasted several months! I would advise to use dry aragonite sand WELL rinsed. The microfauna in your old sand will repopulate the new sand. I now rinse the sand that I syphon while cleaning the bottom and put it back!
fishkat

 

[Sleeping Giant]

put the sand into a Gatorade bottle, let the water get into the top of it, filled up with no air and dump it out slowly on the top of the existing sand. little bit time consuming, but doesn't cloud up as much and is easier for placement of the sand. a ziplock bag will do the same too

 

[Tahoe61]

Rinse, and rinse and rinse more.

 

[Fish Fan]

Be careful with live sand! I had to add sand to my 42g bowfront because I was syphoning sand out while cleaning the bottom and discarding it (dummy me)! I used caribsea live sand from my lfs and had a dyno outbreak that lasted several months! I would advise to use dry aragonite sand WELL rinsed. The microfauna in your old sand will repopulate the new sand. I now rinse the sand that I syphon while cleaning the bottom and put it back!
fishkat

I'm sorry you had some difficulty changing sands

Please don't confuse CaribSea live-sand-in-a-bag with real live sands from places like Tampa Bay Saltwater. The stuff in a bag isn't really live sand, it's more like dry sand with some bottled bacteria added, which may have offed the Dino some new real estate to grow on. Many who use the CaribSea sands rinse them well with freshwater before use, and just treat them like dry sand.

I hope that helps!