adding sand

bruno21447 · Dec 30, 2011

I want to add some sand to my tank not a whole lot but enough to bring the sand bed up a couple inchs on the front of my tank. Should i just use new sand or live sand?

DaveA · Dec 30, 2011

Where would you get the live sand from? Are you talking about the bagged kind sent in the mail?

Also, what is your tank like now? Do you have livestock in them? Or are you still cycling?

btkrausen · Dec 30, 2011

Perfect questions Dave A.

If you have sand that is 'live' in your tank already, you could do either one and mix it up with the current sand after putting it in.

bruno21447 · Dec 30, 2011

Sorry

should of put more details yes it is up and running has been for a year. I have coral and livestock. As in live sand I mean the bagged kind from my lfs. Or just a bag of dead sand in the bag? It is a 225 gallon tank.

DaveA · Dec 31, 2011

Maybe someone else will pipe in here. I'm not sure on this, but I think the bagged live sand will probably have some dead things in it - things can't stay alive forever. So, if you already have livestock, this might cause a mini-cycle.

Since you already have sand in your tank, your sand is already live, so I wouldn't think you need the bagged live sand. Dry sand will become live very quickly, because your sand is already live.

bruno21447 · Dec 31, 2011

thank you

ok yea my only wonder was if it suffocated the sand or something like that. Never done anything like that so wasnt sure on how it worked. Anyone else have any info?

bruno21447 · Jan 1, 2012

anyone else?

whyzee429 · Jan 1, 2012

I'd add plain ol regular sand. You can always gently mix it through the live sand.

bruno21447 · Jan 1, 2012

ok seems that is what I will do thanx for the help guys

DaveA · Jan 3, 2012

bruno21447 said:
ok yea my only wonder was if it suffocated the sand or something like that. Never done anything like that so wasnt sure on how it worked. Anyone else have any info?

Yes, and no. About 4 to 6 inches below the top layer of sand starts an anaerobit layer. Different bacteria live there - the kind that don't live in oxygenated (aerobic) layers. These bacteria are actually good and help clean your tank. Search for Deep Sand Beds for more information.