Adding sand to established bare bottom

[TriggerFinger]

I started my tank with a mix of live and dry sand, all of it got rinsed in tap water. Just wanted to mention the live sand was VERY silty and dirty and I’m glad I rinsed it all. I can pick up and shift my sand and there’s no clouding.

 

[Alenya]

Don’t worry about the bacteria. They will be dormant and stuck to the sand like limpets. Rinse the heck out of the sand before putting it in the tank

 

[Ike]

I recently added 120 lbs. of sand to a bare bottom that had been established for 4+ years 225 using a 4" PVC pipe and had no issues. Cut the flow, siphon all the detritus you can, add sand, let it settle for a bit, and I've had zero issues.

 

[kaceyo]

Sorry Guys, I got sidetracked away from this thread before getting around to thanking everyone for their excellent advice and success stories. I am now adding the sand in at about 4 cups a week and feeling much more confident about it. Getting some brown surface algae(?) but all is going well.

Kacey

 

[old salt reefer]

Having had tanks both ways I'd never have sand/gravel again. Bare bottom is SO MUCH easier to control nutrients. That said you could still have gravel for wrasses by putting it in a container in a back corner hidden by rockwork. It works that's how I keep sand dwelling anemones in a bare bottom tank:

 

[kaceyo]

Having had tanks both ways I'd never have sand/gravel again. Bare bottom is SO MUCH easier to control nutrients. That said you could still have gravel for wrasses by putting it in a container in a back corner hidden by rockwork. It works that's how I keep sand dwelling anemones in a bare bottom tank:

I've read about that way of keeping sand dwellers. I just thought that, after decades of reef tanks off and on, and never having a sand bottom, it was time to give the sandy side of reefing a try. Good job on the anemone, looks good.