Tank is set up, pretty much "cycled"

[Shawn4455]

So I have a new tank with old live rock and I have it set up, fish have added some coral are added, Water parameters are perfect and I also have a sump where it holds the lives rock, chaeto, and all the equipment. Should I add sand to the fuge? Is it okay to add sand to the fuge while I have all this? Or should I add sand? In hindsight, I should have thought of doing this.

 

[P-Dub]

So I have a new tank with old live rock and I have it set up, fish have added some coral are added, Water parameters are perfect and I also have a sump where it holds the lives rock, chaeto, and all the equipment. Should I add sand to the fuge? Is it okay to add sand to the fuge while I have all this? Or should I add sand? In hindsight, I should have thought of doing this.

Do you have sand in your DT? If so, I would say it is unnecessary unless you are lacking in bio filtration capacity. I have no sand in my DT and minimal amount of MM in my fuge.

 

[JoshO]

Like p-dub has said, do you have it in the display?
What purpose are you wanting it to serve?

 

[Shawn4455]

Do you have sand in your DT? If so, I would say it is unnecessary unless you are lacking in bio filtration capacity. I have no sand in my DT and minimal amount of MM in my fuge.

I have about 1-1.5 in the DT, Not sure I read a few articles thats its good, maybe for the CUC? I have a few snails down there.

 

[JoshO]

I have about 1-1.5 in the DT, Not sure I read a few articles thats its good, maybe for the CUC? I have a few snails down there.

You have snails in the sump? Surely they would serve a better purpose in the display keeping algae at bay! There are plenty of products out there that are purpose made for housing bacteria in a sump, which is effectively what a sandbed would do in there

 

[Malifry97]

You have snails in the sump? Surely they would serve a better purpose in the display keeping algae at bay! There are plenty of products out there that are purpose made for housing bacteria in a sump, which is effectively what a sandbed would do in there

I mean sand in a fuge can act as a DSB for nutrient control...so it plays a very different role than sand in the high flow of a display tank...

 

[JoshO]

I mean sand in a fuge can act as a DSB for nutrient control...so it plays a very different role than sand in the high flow of a display tank...

Agreed DSB do have their benefits, however they also come with a huge risk imo. Disturbing one can release a whole host of nasties. Personally I'd play it safe and go with other media in the sump just to make sure I wasn't putting myself in the position where I could crash the set up by accidentally disturbing a chunk of the DSB

 

[Malifry97]

Agreed DSB do have their benefits, however they also come with a huge risk imo. Disturbing one can release a whole host of nasties. Personally I'd play it safe and go with other media in the sump just to make sure I wasn't putting myself in the position where I could crash the set up by accidentally disturbing a chunk of the DSB

Yea I was mainly pointing out that a DSB has VERY different benefits than sand in the DT

 

[JoshO]

Yea I was mainly pointing out that a DSB has VERY different benefits than sand in the DT

Oh I totally agree on that! I was thinking from your original comment that you were putting it in there for the comfort of the snails and for an area for bacteria to host

 

[Mike27t]

Any suggestions on alternatives to sand in the sump? I read other media for maintaining bacteria, but didnt read any examples.

TIA

 

[Shawn4455]

You have snails in the sump? Surely they would serve a better purpose in the display keeping algae at bay! There are plenty of products out there that are purpose made for housing bacteria in a sump, which is effectively what a sandbed would do in there

Had some detritus from my old live rock so I added some snails to hopefully clean it up so I don't have to buy a vac. ill move them later.