Live sand after the fact

[druid1547]

Question, I am still new to this hobby and having to move well I am starting all over again. My question is that I have my tank going some live rocks and two damsels to get the system going. If I add live sand to it now will I kill my fish? or just make things better?:notsure:

 

[acekjd83]

adding LS now wont kill the damsels, but it MAY cause a short cycle

 

[druid1547]

Hi, What do you mean by a short cycle? Water change?:notsure:
Plus I think I should turn off my pump when doing this if not it will get clogged up.

 

[pensky]

I am getting ready to do the same thing but I am removing my current under gravel filter and crushed coral and replacing it with live sand.
My question is I only have 20#live sand for my 29 gal tank will that be enouph or will it hurt if I just add more sand in a week or two?

 

[pensky]

I plan to turn off the filters just for a short while. I am also going to put a plate on top of the sand to pour the water on to minimize the cloudyness.

 

[kdfrosty]

You should be ok if you add 10lbs at once, Pensky. I changed from CC to LS (100lbs.) all at once, and everything stayed ok.

 

[pensky]

the next time i add (20# pounds) should I worry about a short cycle like i am this. I have a temp tank with just a powerhead just incase.

 

[acekjd83]

if you add 20 pounds of any substrate you should be prepared for the possibility of fluctuations in water chemistry.