Topping up your sand bed

VicZA · 27 Jun 2015

Is it a bad idea to add more substrate to an established tank ? I have had my tank for 18 months and is doing very nicely but I wish my sandbed was a bit deeper - would help the wrasses and would just generally look nicer !!

Any advice please ....

butcherman · 27 Jun 2015

adding sand should do be an issue just add the sand slowly not to upset everything else

TaahirS · 27 Jun 2015

Wash it well so it doesn't cloud the tank. I replaced the sand bed completely on a nano tank last week with no ill effects.

DOHCTOR · 27 Jun 2015

Take a thick pipe and put it in the tank then throw the sand through the pipe,no clouds etc

Ricky W · 28 Jun 2015

And do it in sections not all at once

RiaanP · 28 Jun 2015

Adding layers is not an issue. Even on an established DSB. But no more than 10mm per week. You need to give the worms and other critters in the top level of the sand a change to migrate upwards.

Vilas · 14 Aug 2015

Just don't put fine sand on top of coarse sand if you're aiming for a dsb. Try to keep it all the same size.

Kebab131 · 14 Aug 2015

Tagging

greatwyt · 14 Aug 2015

on this, if i were to add live sand, would i wash it first? considering the tank is established what would be the best way to add live sand

Criggy · 14 Aug 2015

Where is the live sand? Has it been disturbed, is it still in a running tank?
Moving sand too much is never a good idea