Stupid sand question

slipondajimmy · Apr 9, 2009

As the title says its a pretty stupid question. After going back and forth for the past month I have decided I want a bit of sand in my 10g frag tank. I notice the few hermit crabs I have in there have a pretty difficult time moving around on the bottom and I just think it looks better with sand.

The question is can I put sand in this tank that is fully cycled without much of a spike in my levels? I had to put a clown in there a few days ago because my other one had been getting way to aggressive with it. Also is there a sand that is recommended over other brands?

Thanks a bunch.

Wally1402 · Apr 9, 2009

If it were me I would just put some dry sand in there.

Hypertek99 · Apr 9, 2009

It will be very cloudy when you put it in. I would take the livestock out for a day or 2.

coral88 · Apr 9, 2009

If you use dry sand and wash it you will not have a spike or a cloud. I've done this and not had any problems. Wash it in a five gal bucket. Just keep blasting it with a water hose until the water coming out is clear. Just about or a little after you begin to think it will never be clean it will start to clear. Don’t wash more than about a quarter of a bucket full at a time. After you have it clean fill the buck about three quarters of the way full and dechlorinate it then stir the sand around to get rid of the chlorine. :)

Ladipyg · Apr 9, 2009

coral88 said:
If you use dry sand and wash it you will not have a spike or a cloud. I've done this and not had any problems. Wash it in a five gal bucket. Just keep blasting it with a water hose until the water coming out is clear. Just about or a little after you begin to think it will never be clean it will start to clear. Donâ€™t wash more than about a quarter of a bucket full at a time. After you have it clean fill the buck about three quarters of the way full and dechlorinate it then stir the sand around to get rid of the chlorine. :)

Best way to do it...I agree 100%. If you use a hose, just put it at the very bottom of the bucket full force and it will cause the sediment to rise from the bottom, up and out.