How do I add sand to an Established BB?

Engineeringman27 · Jan 20, 2015

Hey guys!

Wanted to know if I could add sand to an established 220 BB. I have both fish and coral in the system.

Should I use live sand? Dry sand?

Will the tank cycle at all after adding? I do not want to take a chance of killing anything.

I like the look of sand, but really need to add it for some wrasses I plan on adding to the system. BB has been so easy to keep clean!

Also, what sand do you recommend using? I was looking at Tropic Eden Reefflakes (not sure if this comes dry, or live). How thin of a layer can I go with the sand? I want to be able to keep it clean and only want it for the looks and the wrasses.

Thanks for the help!

143MPCo · Jan 20, 2015

I would use dry (wash it thoroughly, tap-water is ok, RO/DI is better) and add it very slowly over the course of several weeks... Depending on the size of the sand, I would use a 1" to 1"-1/2" section of PVC with a funnel on top to get the sand on the bottom with minimal dust dispersion. also depending on the type of sand you might spike dKH and PH so keep an eye on that.

IMO some "live sand" has high level of undesirable additive, I would want to keep that out of an already cycled system.

Duberz · Jan 20, 2015

I'm also wanting to do this. I was thinking of the live sand from tbsw. I live close so I can go pick it up and get it right in my tank.

143MPCo · Jan 20, 2015

Just to clarify when I said "live sand" I mean bagged (prepackaged) not harvested directly from the ocean... lol

redfishbluefish · Jan 20, 2015

You could always just put in a small Tuperware container of sand for the wrasse and leave the rest of the tank BB.

Engineeringman27 · Jan 20, 2015

Thanks guys! Anyone have experience with just adding a container full of sand? How big of a container would I need? I am planning on adding 5 different wrasses.

Engineeringman27 · Jan 21, 2015

Anyone have experience adding just a Tupperware of sand to a BB tank for wrasses? Would love to keep my tank BB if possible, and keep the Tupperware hidden behind/under my live rock.

Tahoe61 · Jan 21, 2015

You can also use a wide diameter plastic tubing or PVC pipe. Just slowly pour the sand down the PVC pipe. You're still going to get a bit of clouding but not nearly as bad.

Stephanie11 · Jan 21, 2015

When adding a container of sand. Fill the Tupperware, then put a plastic bag over over it while placing into tank, the remove plastic. This will help with a sand storm. I've done this for miracle mud in fuges. You also want atleast 2 inches deep.

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 21, 2015

Tahoe61 said:
You can also use a wide diameter plastic tubing or PVC pipe. Just slowly pour the sand down the PVC pipe. You're still going to get a bit of clouding but not nearly as bad.

This is an excellent way to add sand to an existing system.

Mike J. · Jan 21, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20C0VGEaEM4

Engineeringman27 · Jan 21, 2015

Thanks guys! Now what if I did not want to go with sand, and only wanted to add a Tupperware container behind the rock work to hold some sand just for wrasses. Would this be enough sand for them? Anybody have experience doing this with wrasses?

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 21, 2015

ritter6788 He has a wrasse den that holds sand for his wrasses. Maybe he can chime in with his experiences?

ritter6788 · Jan 21, 2015

Yep. The wrasse dens work great. I need to have one made that's deeper so the sand doesn't spill out. My melanarus wrasse blew too much sand out.

Mike J. · Jan 21, 2015

So, do you need one for each wrasse? Poster said he wants to get 3 or 4. They won't sleep in the same place, will they? Don't they stake out their territory like other fish do?

Engineeringman27 · Jan 21, 2015

Thanks for the help everyone!

ritter6788

Nice! I will definitely have to try this before adding sand to my entire tank. Thanks for the help! Any others using a den or Tupperware? Pic would be great!

Also, how hidden can I have it? Could I place a Tupperware full of sand in a cave to help hide it? Do I have to add multiple dens for multiple wrasses?

tonymission · Jan 21, 2015

I have an acrylic sandbox in each of my frag tanks so I could keep my leopard wrasses. Works great. Took a day for them to figure it out and kind of sad watching them look for a spot to sleep... lol