[gmcmdc]

Hello,

Anyone know how to or if you should add live sand to a reef tank that's been going for 4 years? I want to get a Long Tentacle Anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis) and liveaquaria.com recommends 4 inches of sand/rubble, and I probably have between 1 and a half and two inches. Should I add more? If so is it safe to do it into the tank with inverts and fish already there?

Thanks!

Mer

[shanghai]

Yes,you can add more sand,but do it slowly over a week or so in small sections.I used a 2ft long 1 1/2 inch piece of pvc pipe and a plastic cup to add sand to my tank.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

If I had it to do I would submerge the bag then slit it open all the way and dump it slowly.If you have a clam you will have to move him,everything else will get out of the way.

[RGRDGR]

If you add non-live sand you should not get an ammonia spike. But i'm not too sure you need more than acouple of inches for a LTA to anchor in.

[jimw369]

To add to Shanghi I would rinse the sand before putting it in the tank if you have a bunch of critters in there. AND I would add a little at a time.

[pogodzib]

I wouldn't add store bought "live" sand because all it really has in it is bacteria, of which your tank already has. Adding any reef safe sand would be alright, just try not to add more than 1" of sand per week so the critters in the sand can move back up to the surface and re-populate it. Be careful not to create a dust storm in your tank while adding the sand. Either use some rigid tubing with a funnel or a cup to get the sand to the bottom of the sand without creating a dust cloud.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by jimw369

To add to Shanghi I would rinse the sand before putting it in the tank if you have a bunch of critters in there. AND I would add a little at a time.

If you rinse the sand before placing it in the tank, you are essentially just adding to your sand depth and not bacteria levels right? I ask because I too wanted to increase my depth, but wasn't sure if I needed to rinse the sand or just add a little slowly.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

I wouldn't add store bought "live" sand because all it really has in it is bacteria, of which your tank already has. Adding any reef safe sand would be alright, just try not to add more than 1" of sand per week so the critters in the sand can move back up to the surface and re-populate it. Be careful not to create a dust storm in your tank while adding the sand. Either use some rigid tubing with a funnel or a cup to get the sand to the bottom of the sand without creating a dust cloud.

To add to what Brian said, also be aware of your powerheads at this time, I have heard stories of some PH jamming up becuase of the sand getting into them while adding sand or the intial start up of the tank, so perhaps cutting the power to them until some of the sand settles back down is proactive, just a thought.

[jimw369]

Rinsing sand just makes it so the water doesnt cloud up bad on you. Yes you are probably losing some bacteria already in the LS but in little time the bacteria will grow back. This is what I did months ago. Didnt seem to hurt anything.

[wesley6610]

Okay, well I will do that then so I can add to the depth and keep the cloudiness away.