Adding new sand

[Marlin65]

Same here but I made holes in the sand and filled those in with new sand.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Marlin65

Same here but I made holes in the sand and filled those in with new sand.

That's a good idea. Covering the old sand with new sand could smother the old sand, and cause a crash. I've see it happen a couple times to people. Not pretty.

[naesco]

It is not a problem if you add it slowly as suggested. That way the tank won't get murky.

If you have a deep sand bed (DSB) I would not recommend digging holes in the sand bed. You will be disturbing the layers in the sand which have different functions. You may cause hydrogen sulfide ??? (or whatever gas it is) to be released into the tank. I think it would be safer to simply add it but spread out the additions for a number of days.

[marie]

Originally Posted by Myka

That's a good idea. Covering the old sand with new sand could smother the old sand, and cause a crash. I've see it happen a couple times to people. Not pretty.

As long as you keep the depth of the new sand at an inch or less and then give it a day or 2 for the critters to work their way up to the surface before adding more, it will be alright. My sandbed has been established for 3 1/2 yrs and adding new sand on top hasn't harmed it at all

[ocean diver]

OK Thanks all, I will add my new sand in small layers and have a day or two between each layer.