how do i add sand to a running aquarium

[The Ugly Phase]

How could i add sand to this?

 

[vlangel]

How could i add sand to this?

Can you get acrylic tubing and a funnel and just slowly pour the sand in? Or put washed wet sand in a small container and just gently pour each scoop full into the bottom of the tank until the desired amount of sand has been reached.

 

[PPBlimpy]

A funnel and 3/4" pvc pipe. Turn off returns and wavemakers.
Try to keep the pipe as vertical as possible with the tip flat against the bottom of your tank while you fill the pipe.
Rince the sand first in salt water to try to dedust it. This has worked well for me without making a huge cloudy mess.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

didn't think about that thanks :D for the replys

 

[Hishman]

Whatever you do wash the sand with tap water until it’s completely clear and let it dry out on something like a towel or hard surface. I’ve always put mine in 5 gal bucked with a hose pushed down to disturb the bottom and let it run for 10-15 mins until clear. Then place the sand in a container and fill with RO until you cover the sand. Dispose of the RO and it’s ready to go in the tank.

Yes silt eventually settles but anytime you or your tank mates disturb the sand they will kick some up.

 

[PPBlimpy]

Whatever you do wash the sand with tap water until it’s completely clear and let it dry out on something like a towel or hard surface. I’ve always put mine in 5 gal bucked with a hose pushed down to disturb the bottom and let it run for 10-15 mins until clear. Then place the sand in a container and fill until you cover the sand. Dispose of the RO and it’s ready to go in the tank.

Yes silt eventually settles but anytime you or your tank mates disturb the sand they will kick some up.

If the sand is dry I would use tap water to rinse the dust and let dry again.

If it is bagged "live sand" I would use salt water either freshly mixed or from a water change to rinse the dust and crud off it the best you could and ad wet.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

If the sand is dry I would use tap water to rinse the dust and let dry again.

If it is bagged "live sand" I would use salt water either freshly mixed or from a water change to rinse the dust and crud off it the best you could and ad wet.

it will be live sand most likely

 

[Euphyllia098]

I've done this multiple times. A pipe as suggested works good. Rinse the sand, and when you think your done rinsing, rinse again. I also would only add a little bit at a time to minimize clouding the water. Aka only do like 1/4 the tank. Give it a day to settle and then do another 1/4. I've never added an entire tank at a time and wouldn't recommend that with livestock.

 

[sgdnycct]

Another option is to put the sand in a ziplock bag. Seal it, cut a corner and pinch it closed, lower the bag, then open the seal a little and slowly release.

 

[Hishman]

I see a vert and fish in the tank so assuming it’s cycled you will get no benefit using live sand with all the downsides of silt if you don’t wash it.

I would get aggregate based on your preferred granular size and mix and wash it regardless. It will kill most of the live bacteria if live but that same bacteria already exists is much more abundance in your tank than in a bag that’s sat on a shelf for weeks/months.