Adding substrate to an up and running tank.

mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
I would like to add another 40lbs of crushed coral or sand to my 125gal.The problem is,as most of you know,it's up and running and stocked with live rock and fish. I know that no matter how much you wash the stuff,it still turns the water into milk. Will this harm the fish and rock? Should I remove everything for a couple days? ANY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS WOULD HELP. also any preferance between sand or crushed coral. STEVE
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Why do you want to add so much more crushed coral? If you are thinking to accomodate burrowing sealife, then I'd say go with sand. This is what those creatures really like and thrive in.
However, if you want the crushed coral, and are worried about the milky effect, then do the thorogh rinse and then place the substrate in a filtrated bucket or, better, unused tank with filtration. If all you have is a bucket, use this with airstone, with continued water changes in bucket until you are satisfied that it is safe to add the substrate to your tank. Alot of time, the substrate just needs to be "aged" a bit to keep the tiny particle from free-floating in the water.
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
I guess if I had to give an answer "why",I'd say I like the look of a deeper bed. Sounds stupid,but if it doesn't effect the fish one way or the other, I'd like to do it. Would the sand clean up better? I would like to add a Yellow face that my LFS has. In this tank 40lbs would only be about two inches more. Thats about what I have in there now. STEVE
[This message has been edited by MR . SALTY (edited 07-26-2000).]
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
Right now my 40 is a hosp/QT tank. kindof overkill.I hate to take it down.I've been trying to sell it,But would rather sell it set up to make it easier on it's new owner. STEVE I'm working on pics of the big one.
 
M

mitch24

Guest
WOW! A 40 gallon QT and a 125 show tank

You are definitely living the life

I did read in a few places that substrate levels should be left relatively low because pockets can develop which can be harmful to fish.
 
rickt4du

rickt4du

Member
I added about 20lbs of sand to my tank with almost no mess....after cleaning the sand off, keep it pretty wet in the bucket. cut a piece of 2inch pvc pipe and pour the sand down that it goes straight to the bottom and you can kind of form it out as you go....
mr salty...hope your not a jeff gordon fan...
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
Gordon was and still is one of my favorites,now I like to watch TONY STEWART. Thanks for the sand info.............STEVE
 
rickt4du

rickt4du

Member
you cant admit to being a jeff gordon fan in talladega, steve grissom (last of the bama gang) and ---- trickle...needs a name change though.....rick
[This message has been edited by rickt4du (edited 07-28-2000).]
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
---- Trickle used to race up here at our 1/2 mile dirt track back in the 70's.He was running modified stock. Watched my uncle whoop his butt every weekend. STEVE
 
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