Sand issues

[bobbyrobot]

I set up a new tank about 5 months ago. All in all its doing awesome its sps only and things are already growing. The issue I have is I started it with Fiji Pink sand and my MP40 is blowing it around like crazy (the tank is a 75) and creating bare spots.... which I hate aesthetically. I was thinking about adding a larger grain sand to it just to keep it down a little..... any suggestions? Should I add live sand or is dry fine? I was going to rinse the dry sand with water then use a funnel and large diameter flex hose to get it to the bottom with out too much mess. The problem I have is I dont want to disturb any corals or create any nutrient issues in the process...

 

[bobbyrobot]

Also do you think the larger grain would just work its self to the bottom and the fine grain move up?

 

[mike007]

How low do you have the mp40? Maybe you could raise them to 5-6 from the top and see if that helps. Also what percentage are you running them maybe dial them back some.

 

[bobbyrobot]

They are as high as they can be at about 50-ish percent in lagoon mode.... Running a mag 9.5 for return with it split and running two reactors and the nozel from it stirs the sand... Sand bed is only about 2" deep.

 

[bobbyrobot]

As high in the tank I mean, without pulling air from the surface

 

[mike007]

You stated that the mp 40 was stirring up sand. Can you redirect the returns so they will not flow down towards sandbed? Maybe have them towards surface to aggitate the water for better gas exchange.

 

[mtnrunner]

Make sure you have the head rotated so that the 1" solid guard is on the bottom.

 

[bobbyrobot]

Yeah... Its the sand all over the tank not just under the mp40s..

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Moved to current forum: New to the Hobby.

 

[KoleTang]

Special grade sand is what I use. Not too fine, not too coarse. Caribsea makes a dry version and a live version. Reef Flakes makes a dry version as well.

 

[bobbyrobot]

Koletang thats actually what I was considering using if I add any.

 

[OceanMinded]

you will be fine adding dry sand. Try different current modes. Best way to add sand in an already filled tank is to turn off all pump, add some R/O water to the bag of sand to get it wet. After that, pack a cup full of the wet sand and slowly submerge it to the bottom of the tank and tilt it over. This will reduce any cloudiness and make it a bit easier for ya. Good luck mate!

 

[Tom22re]

A good way to add sand is get a piece of PVC 2 inch or bigger and have somebody help have a final on it and order into it and you can direct where goes and does not get your tank all cloudy

 

[TJ's Reef]

I have done exactly what your suggesting a few times and works well. I just used some old (I mean OLD... 25 year old) Philipine crushed coral I had stashed and placed it in the high-flow washed out areas along with assorted empty snail shells. Looks very natural and much better than seeing a bare bottom.

Cheers, Todd