Live sand

[lewis74]

Hi . I have had live sand in my tank from when I set it up 3 weeks ago but now I would like to add more sand I have fish snails and a shrimp in my tank would it be ok just to add more sand now and if so what is the best way to add it .

 

[Reeferbadness]

I have done this a few times - after some research found that adding live sand via a PVC pipe works really well. Pour the sand into the pvc pipe and add it to the areas that need some more - this keeps the resulting cloudiness to a minimum and allows you to target areas needed.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I add the sand to a glass, then lower the glass into the water and empty the sand where you want.

 

[lewis74]

I have done this a few times - after some research found that adding live sand via a PVC pipe works really well. Pour the sand into the pvc pipe and add it to the areas that need some more - this keeps the resulting cloudiness to a minimum and allows you to target areas needed.

Thanks would it be best to wash the sand in some tank water first?

 

[purpfish]

Most likely

 

[Reeferbadness]

Thanks would it be best to wash the sand in some tank water first?

I would not rinse it, it can kill the beneficial bacteria (even with tank water). Using the pvc pipe will help minimize cloudiness and you should be good.

 

[malacoda]

Rinsing will not kill the benefical bacteria as long as the water you use is not chlorinated. Doesn't have to be tank/saltwater either. Fresh water is fine (again as long as it does not contain chlorine, chloramines, etc.)

I am on well water and have rinsed my sand at least three or four times now during tank moves and tank upgrades.

 

[Reeferbadness]

Rinsing will not kill the benefical bacteria as long as the water you use is not chlorinated.

I am on well water and have rinsed my sand at least three or four times now during tank moves and tank upgrades.

why rinse it at all? What's the benefit except minimizing the cloudiness which you can do by pouring it into a pvc pipe and applying it exactly where it's needed?

 

[mboley]

Hi . I have had live sand in my tank from when I set it up 3 weeks ago but now I would like to add more sand I have fish snails and a shrimp in my tank would it be ok just to add more sand now and if so what is the best way to add it .

Live sand in a bag has ammonia in it; it's not live as if it was just scooped from the ocean bottom. So it could affect your tank inhabitants. I would add dead sand and you should rinse it first.

 

[malacoda]

why rinse it at all? What's the benefit except minimizing the cloudiness which you can do by pouring it into a pvc pipe and applying it exactly where it's needed?

If you run really high flow, every time the sand gets disturbed it can cloud your tank ... until, eventually, all the fine silt settles in the sump instead (or gets filtered out).

In my case though, it was to remove detritus that had accumulated in the sand over time. I had to remove the sand any way because I was moving and/or upgrading tanks (over the past 10 years I've moved or upgraded at least six times)...

And rather than spending $100-$200 on new, bagged sand each time, it was quicker, less expensive ... and just as easy ... to rinse and reuse my existing sand.

The only time I don't rinse sand is when it's live sand from the ocean from Tampa Bay Saltwater, etc. While the bacteria would be fine, you'd rinse away a lot of the other microorganisms.

 

[lewis74]

If you run really high flow, every time the sand gets disturbed it can cloud your tank ... until, eventually, all the fine silt settles in the sump instead (or gets filtered out).

In my case though, it was to remove detritus that had accumulated in the sand over time. I had to remove the sand any way because I was moving and/or upgrading tanks (over the past 10 years I've moved or upgraded at least six times)...

And rather than spending $100-$200 on new, bagged sand each time, it was quicker, less expensive ... and just as easy ... to rinse and reuse my existing sand.

The only time I don't rinse sand is when it's live sand from the ocean from Tampa Bay Saltwater, etc. While the bacteria would be fine, you'd rinse away a lot of the other microorganisms.

thanks . but now someone said don’t use live sand use dead sand would that be ok to use or keep with live sand

 

[Reefering1]

Why do you want to add more sand?

 

[lewis74]

Because I just think it’s a bit thin on the bottom of the tank

 

[malacoda]

Don't over think it, there's no wrong choice here — true live sand, brandname live sand, dry aquarium sand ... any will work just fine.

• Live sand from the ocean by an outfit like KP Aquatics, Tampa Bay Saltwater, or a similar outfit in Europe, will add more diversity to your microbiome. (e.g. Numerous types of bacteria as well as meiofauna such as rotifers, pods, etc. Possibly even small worms and micro-critters. (I even once got a small pincushion urchin in some sand from TBS.))

• Live sand from any of the big, brand-name bags will contain denitrifying bacteria, but little else in terms of 'life'. (e.g. Caribsea agri-sand, Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand, AF Bio Sand, etc.)

• Dry sand will not provide any 'boost' to your microbiome. And it may experience/trigger a short period of diatoms, cyano, or dinos (least likely) until has a chance to become inhabited with beneficial bacteria from the rest of your tank. (The likelihood of one of these short, ugly spurts will be depend the amount of new sand versus existing sand.)

Some options may just take a little bit longer to get 'in balance' with the rest of your tank than others.

All you want to do is add more sand depth, right?

And your tank is in balance (e.g. not in any kind of ugly phase), right?

Then, if it were me (and it has been on several occasions), I would just run to the local pet store and get the least expensive bagged sand they have in the grain-size I'm looking for. Either dry or 'live', doesn't matter...

It's be quick and easiest to get. It the least expensive option. And it'll work just fine.

Then I'd rinse it regardless of whether it was 'live' or dry ... because I don't want all the extra silt in my sandbed (my personal preference).

And I'd put it in.

If a bit of cyano, diatoms or dinos happen to show on the sand a couple weeks later, so what. I would just ignore it and wait it out ... because I know from experience the sand will come into 'balance' with the rest of my tank in a a few more weeks, and any 'ugly' stuff will fade away on its own.

Now, if my goal with the sand was to increase the health and diversity of my microbiome, then I would spend the extra money on true live sand from TBS, KPA, or whatever similar options you may have in Europe...

But that's not your goal.

Your goal is simply to add more depth.

So, save your self some time and money – just get some inexpensive bagged sand from a local pet store (dry or 'live', doesn't matter), put it in, and let it reach 'balance' on its own.

A long-winded response, but hopefully it gives you a clearer picture of when/why to choose different types of sand ... and what I did when I had the same goal as you.