Stupid sand question

slipondajimmy · Apr 9, 2009

As the title says its a pretty stupid question. After going back and forth for the past month I have decided I want a bit of sand in my 10g frag tank. I notice the few hermit crabs I have in there have a pretty difficult time moving around on the bottom and I just think it looks better with sand.

The question is can I put sand in this tank that is fully cycled without much of a spike in my levels? I had to put a clown in there a few days ago because my other one had been getting way to aggressive with it. Also is there a sand that is recommended over other brands?

Thanks a bunch.

Wally1402 · Apr 9, 2009

If it were me I would just put some dry sand in there.

Hypertek99 · Apr 9, 2009

It will be very cloudy when you put it in. I would take the livestock out for a day or 2.

coral88 · Apr 9, 2009

If you use dry sand and wash it you will not have a spike or a cloud. I've done this and not had any problems. Wash it in a five gal bucket. Just keep blasting it with a water hose until the water coming out is clear. Just about or a little after you begin to think it will never be clean it will start to clear. Don’t wash more than about a quarter of a bucket full at a time. After you have it clean fill the buck about three quarters of the way full and dechlorinate it then stir the sand around to get rid of the chlorine.

Ladipyg · Apr 9, 2009

coral88 said:
If you use dry sand and wash it you will not have a spike or a cloud. I've done this and not had any problems. Wash it in a five gal bucket. Just keep blasting it with a water hose until the water coming out is clear. Just about or a little after you begin to think it will never be clean it will start to clear. Donâ€™t wash more than about a quarter of a bucket full at a time. After you have it clean fill the buck about three quarters of the way full and dechlorinate it then stir the sand around to get rid of the chlorine.

Best way to do it...I agree 100%. If you use a hose, just put it at the very bottom of the bucket full force and it will cause the sediment to rise from the bottom, up and out.