Live sand

momof12

New Member
If I changed my fish only tank to live, would I start with adding live sand? How much would I need for the 55 gal.? Would I have to worry about unwanted animals? :scared: Would this upset my otherwise happy fish?:eek:
 

mbrands

Member
Do you want a DSB, or just sand substrate? What do you have in your tank now (LR? fish? corals?).
I started with crushed coral and slowly removed it. Once it was all out, I added sand to my tank and it didn't affect my fish. I only had 2 clowns, some snails and some hermits in the tank at the time. I used 50 pounds in my 55 and got about a 2" sand bed.
 

momof12

New Member
What is DSB? We have a fish only tank. 1 Clown fish, 1 yellowtail damsel, 3 blue green reef chromis, 3 blue legged hermits, 2 red leg hermits, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 firefish, 1 scooter blenny. We are working on finding some snails and will get more hermit crabs. We want live sand to help with live rock if we go that route. We were also considering getting a jaw fish and I think they need 4" of sand. Would it work to leave the crushed coral in for a base and then add live sand over it?:notsure:
 

mbrands

Member

Originally posted by momof12
We have a fish only tank. 1 Clown fish, 1 yellowtail damsel, 3 blue green reef chromis, We were also considering getting a jaw fish

Sounds like you've got quite a few fish already. How long have you had the tank set up? I'd estimate you've got about 20" or so of fish in only a 55.
Originally posted by momof12

Would it work to leave the crushed coral in for a base and then add live sand over it?:notsure:

Eventually, the crushed coral would work its way to the top. It would be better in the long run to remove it.
DSB = deep sand bed
 

momof12

New Member
I didn't think of the coral pushing it's way up. I forgot about settling, thanks. The blue green chromis's will be given to a friend in 2 months 3 weeks after their tank is done cycling. We have had ours for 6 months and everyone is getting along great. No stress for anyone and no problem with algea. We must be doing something right!!!!
 
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