Adding more substrate...

[theoneyouenvy]

I have a 34g tank and when I started it I only put 20lbs of sand in (what the lfs sold me). After doing some more research it seems that is a bit on the low side. The tank has been up and running for 6 months, will it mess anything up if I add another 10-15lbs in?

 

[mr. limpid]

Sound like you have about a 1" layer of sand? If you have the bagged live sand you really don't need more. If you have the live sand with fauna living in it then I would add 1/2" every year until you reached your desired depth.

 

[saxman]

Just out of curiosity, what's you reason for wanting a deeper substrate? Aesthetically, an inch is fine, however if you have a critter that needs a deeper substrate, you can add additional substrate slowly as mentioned.
If your aim is to run a DSB, it's best to run a remote DSB in a bucket, as it will indeed require replacing in a couple of years' time...it's not a matter of WILL it crash, it's more a question of WHEN it crashes.
HTH

 

[florida joe]

Remember there is a good chance that a large percentage of your nitrification comes from bacteria colonys established on your substrata. You can impact these colonys by burying them under new sand. That being said IMO adding sand to one section at a time with a brake in between will give the colony’s time to reestablish them self’s

 

[saxman]

Perhaps I should mention that a week or so ago, I had the occasion to add some substrate to two of our systems, and as Joe mentioned, the new stuff was added in certain areas as opposed to blanketing the entire substrate. What I added was for aesthetic purposes, as unless we have burrowers (which we do in some setups), I tend to go "light" on the substrate (1" - 1.5").

 

[theoneyouenvy]

I have a few low spots, so it seems I should just a little bit to the areas that need it.

 

[saxman]

You should have no problem. Be sure the new stuff is well-cleaned (you can use non-live sand) and scoop the sand up in a small plastic cup (I like the 1 qt paint cups, less than a buck at the HW store). Then slowly sink the cup into the tank, and gently pour it out near the tank bottom. If you do it this way, you'll have minimal to no cloudiness.

 

[theoneyouenvy]

I bought a 20lbs bag of live sand (should be here next week). Is there any down side to having to much sand, as long as I only add small amounts at a time over a long period(few weeks)?

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneYouEnvy http:///t/394602/adding-more-substrate#post_3512235
I bought a 20lbs bag of live sand (should be here next week). Is there any down side to having to much sand, as long as I only add small amounts at a time over a long period(few weeks)?
Be aware add the bagged live sand that it has both bacteria and ammonia in the bag. So you may have a ammonia spike in your DT after adding the bagged sand. Adding small amount my reduce the spike or you will need to test after adding the sand and be ready to do a water change.