More rock or sand?

[herkemer]

We set up our 75 gallon reef about 9 months ago. Being newbies we listened to everything our LFS told us to do to set up the tank. Since then by reading more books and learning from all of the experienced reefers on this board and I think we could make our tank better. Currently we have 80lbs. (1 1/2 - 2inches) of live sand and about 70lbs. live rock. Here are my questions. Do we need to add more sand or would just adding more live rock give what we need for added natural filtration? If we do need to add more sand what is the best procedure. I have read some horror stories about adding sand to an established aquarium and am kind of leary. I don't really want to add a refugium right now but think later on I would like to tackle one.
Our current filtration is a Mag 350 Pro with dual bio-wheels and a Seaclone skimmer
Sorry this is so long and thanks in advance.

 

[trying4reef]

I have a 75 with 50lbs Livesand 110lbs Liverock you can see some pics at the link below. In order to get good filtration out of your rocks you need good current blow through them not just around then. I would suggest adding more rock and possibly a couple power heads aimed at either side of the rock. Been working well for me (untill lately but that's another story )

 

[daytonight]

if u add sand do only about a 1/4 inch at a time that is what i did to get my sand to a 4 inch level do about a 1/4 a week till u get it to what u want i would have between a 4 and 5 inch sand depth and u can add rock as u want i have about 120 pounds in mine with some of it as base rock under the live rock this has worked for me for about a year now with no problems

 

[foulbrew]

Since you're considering it anyway, adding a refugium now could eliminate the need for a deeper sand bed in your tank. Depending on the size, you could put the DSB in the refugium with the macro algae. That would solve the messy adding sand to your tank issue and leave more room in your tank for the additional corals and live rock.
I do not have a refugium and have added sand to my tank in sections about 1/2 inch at a time covering a square foot at a time. Then I wait a week and do another square foot. I never cover more than that with new sand at a time. However the sand I use is squeeky clean silica sandblasting sand, so I don't get the mess some other folks do.

 

[broomer5]

Herkemer
With your current set up and number of fish/inverts - how's your water quality testing ?
How's your nitrates ?

 

[herkemer]

Thanks for the info.
Broomer, Currently for fish we have a Hippo Tang, 2 Fasle Perks, Four-line Wrasse, Purple Firefish, LMB, and a Green Clown Goby.
Trites = 0, Trates = 20, Ammonia = 0, we did have our Trates jump up to 40 but after a water change they dropped back down. The water hasn't been bad but we want to make sure everyone is happy in there.
Not to get off the subject but our RO/DI water has trates of 20 directly from the LFS. Is this normal or do I need to go have a talk with them about their filtration?