Sand too fine!!!

cluanar · Apr 18, 2019

I have a 90Gl reef and have struggled over the last year to keep the sand from storming the tank but i am tired of it. It makes my lights reflect so it looks like a snow storm. Can I add a heavier grade to it or do i need to replace it.

Also, since the floating sand may reflect the light is that why my tank seems so bright
?

Thanks

James M · Apr 18, 2019

You’ll need to take it out and then add new sand. If not the heavier grade sand is just going to sink through.

Idoc · Apr 18, 2019

It probably depends on how deep your current sand bed is to whether it would be best to add additional sand vs removing some and adding additional courser sand to the system. I initially mixed a finer grade and courser grade sand in the beginning...worked well and looks good. Also, you want to take into account how old the current sand bed is and how often it has been "disturbed." If it has been around a long time, slightly deeper, and you haven't mixed it regularly, you could be asking for some problems to stir it up all at once...some toxins could get released. If removing, maybe take a section out and mix with the newer sand and add in slowly.

Coralreefer1 · Apr 18, 2019

Try adjusting your powerheads to minimize creating a sand storm.

chowwil · Apr 18, 2019

I had the same problem, I ended up just replacing all the sand, but the tank was only a 20gal tank.

lapin · Apr 18, 2019

You need to replace it. Since it is blowing around, I assume it is pretty stirred up. If so, net out 1/2 and replace it. Then next week replace the last 1/2. I say this just in case you have dead spot that has some toxins in it. This will also help with not causing much of a cycle by taking out all nitrifying bacteria in the sand

skynite · Apr 18, 2019

I had the same problem. What made my problem worse was that I sifted the sand and removed all the shells and coarse sand, big mistake. I wanted to have a powder like sand bed. But after battling sand storms and reducing the power of the power heads to the very minimal, I still would have to move the sand back weekly and blow it off the rocks.

So I ended up making a sand trap and vacuumed about half the sand out. Basically vacuum the sand into a bucket or large 5 to 7 gallon plastic container you can pick up from walmart. Drill a hole towards the top of the container and use a 1 inch bulkhead and then let the water drain out of the container into the filter sock in your sump. Most of the sand sinks to the bottom of the container and whatever sand that does flow out gets caught but the filter sock. No need to shut off the pumps or anything. I kept half of the fine sand and added the heavy sand right on top. This solved my sand problems.

cluanar · Apr 18, 2019

i have a diamond goby so what grade sand would you recommend

jd371 · Apr 19, 2019

I have the Oolite very fine sugar type sand in my 75g. Two Jebao PP8's and a lot of trial and error but I got it to where there's plenty of flow without creating a sand storm.