DSB/LR/LS

[7up]

I would like to add about 40lbs of LR, some LS for DSB, Refugia/Mud, AND not have to recycle or loose my current major life forms. Any tips? Can I add the LS on top of my current substrate?
current: running 1 year old 75gal, MH's, 55lbLR, RO/DI water, trickle filter, Remora skimmer, Magnum350 with Black Diamond Carbon, 0.5"-1" of "Special Grade" aragonite from CaribSea as substrate.
25 Scarlets, blue legs, and Astrea. 2 Sally's, 3 emeralds, Kole tang, bicolor, and 2 Percs. assorted soft corals. Oh yes, almost forgot... hair algae

 

[bobber]

When you add your LR, make sure it is cured(no smell). Natures Ocean LS is excellent to use and contains bacteria, not critters, but will not give you another cycle. Also, Aragamax oolite sand works very well and is of the proper grain size for a DSB. I would suggest doing your tank in thirds. This will also help your tank to NOT cycle. Nor will it harm your inhabitants.
As for your hair algae, couple of things come to mind. How often do you change your carbon media? Do you add iodine and how much? What other additives do you add and how much? Your cleanup crew should be able to keep up with the problem which leads me to believe your tank is nutrient-rich. Depending on how much additives you add, this could be the source of your problem. Just a suggestion. HTH--Bob

 

[7up]

Thanks for the information. As for your questions, I change the carbon once every couple of months. No specific regime. Do you suggest more frequent or infrequent changes? As far as additives, this too is not under a specific regime. I think I bottomed out on iodine since some of the corals were not looking great. Once iodine was added they perked up. I could have overcompensated but I don't test for I. Will this directly or indirectly feed hair?
I'm increasing the size of my cleanup crew and will see how things go.
I'm still a little unclear on the ability to simply add LS to my current system. I may put this off for now.

 

[mr . salty]

Good live sand,especially NATURES OCEAN,CAN be added directly to your tank over your exsisting substrate with NO PROBLEMS. Trust me on this one,I took out all my CC in an established 130g and replaced it with 80 lbs of the Natures ocean sand with NO PROBLEMS.

 

[q]

The trickle filter could also be the cause of your hair algea problem. You probably don't show a nitrate problem because the algea is consuming it. Since you are adding more live sand thus increasing you filtering capacity start to take out the bio media in the filter.
P.S. You should take out the media even if you weren't adding more sand.

 

[bobber]

One other suggestion, you should have a steady, CONSISTANT regime. If you are going to add 2mL of iodine every other day, then don't miss that schedule. As with any additive or water changes, ro8utine maintainence and changing carbon. Consistency is key in knowing what is up with your tank. Iodine directly affects hair algae. Too much can cause an algae outbreak, then possible toxication to fish. Follow directions very seriously and exact as to the amount to add. I add 2ml every other day and I have not seen an algae outbreak in my tank(whew!).
Try to set up a routine with your tank and you will see better results and you will also have a better understanding of what is going on with your tank. HTH--Bob

 

[flydan]

Hey,
One other suggestion along with the advice you've been getting on setting up a routine. I would humbly suggest you keep a log of what/when/how much of anything goes in your tank. I also log water tests and temp. It's a good way to figure out what went wrong and why. For example, if you know when you put in your light bulbs and later you start having algae problems you can figure out if that will solve the problem or for sure isn't the problem.
Take care,
Dan'l