I want to add live sand and have a ?

JLA9508 · #1 05-13-2002, 07:53 PM

I currently have 75 lbs of play sand in my tank and wanted to seed it with live sand. How much sand should I get to seed it? Do I just pour it on top or should I mix it in a little? Will adding a few pounds cause a mini cycle?

Adam & Jeanne · #2 05-13-2002, 08:02 PM

I have a 55 in which I changed from cc to a lsb. I added 60lbs of dead sand and topped it with 25 lbs of ls right here from SWF. I also done some searching on the subject and found that you really only need a small percentage of ls to seed the dead sand. Just like 10-20 percent. It does seem to me however the more you use the quicker it would seed. I do see too that you also have lr. The bacteria off of your lr will also help seed your ls.
Hope this helps!

Tyrfing · #3 05-13-2002, 08:47 PM

"LS" is good, but really you will want to go with a DSB. Check out the last two pages and you'll find a few posts on DSB and Southdown, one of them will give you the calculations for a 4-6" SB for maximum stability in your tank. If you already have some play sand, you may as well add another 50 lb bag and get the benefits.

Tyrfing · #4 05-13-2002, 08:52 PM

Formula for calculating a DSB is:

Length of tank x Width x desired depth x .0579

Kris · #5 05-13-2002, 11:02 PM

add as much as it takes to put you at that approx 4 inch range. I laid mine right on top-didn't mix at all.

JLA9508 · #6 05-14-2002, 07:07 AM

will adding about 15 pounds cause a mini cycle?

twoods71 · #7 05-14-2002, 08:15 AM

LS will not cause a mini cycle when added unless there is die off of some kind.