Do I Need To Add More Sand?

[MissG55]

HI,
I currently have a sandbed of just over an inch deep.I have read lots of your journals and spent time looking into the benefits of a deeper sand bed. Reduction of Nitrates, populating 'good stuff' for my critters etc. I have some Nassarius snails and they do not seem to have any problems with it. But obviously anything natural to help keep Nasty Nitrates at bay would be good!

If i do need more sand then can i just add this straight on top of the old. I have read some nasty stories about stirring up a toxic layer.

My tank is 280l. I do not have a sump as my skimmer is in the back compartment along with my trickle filter and circulation pumps.

Thanks

 

[woody88]

Yes you can add sand straight on top of the existing. Just don't disturb the existing!

I added a couple kg last week. Just expect a cloudy tank for a day.

I used a funnel and some hose pipe to pour the sand directly onto the surface. I still made a mess! Lol

Beware tho, I've heard that DSB can be a big problem later on in the tanks life. best to research a bit first before you double the depth.

 

[MissG55]

Thanks Woody,
I may just do a little top up in certain areas and not go for a double depth sand bed.

 

[woody88]

That's all I did and it looks much better with a flat level sand bed. Plus my starfish loves it! lol

I had patches in my tank of the bare glass floor and it looked awful.

It also becomes live very,very quickly I found!