Adding Sand

[Massey2]

Hi all. Was just wondering what's the best way to add more sand to my tank without emptying it out ??

 

[Didge007]

In all honesty, I wouldn't even attempt it. As soon as the new sand hits the water it will disperse. Maybe half empty? Then use a cup to put it in slowly.

 

[raptorrex]

Hi all. Was just wondering what's the best way to add more sand to my tank without emptying it out ??

yes, no problem at all.
well maybe a little. lol

remove 50% of the tank water. (remember to switch off the heater)
now, remove your old substrate, and deccor.
let the filter clean the water, before you move on. (now switch the filter off)
thoroughly, and i mean thoroughly, wash and rinse the sand.
then, using a "takeaway dish!", or some such, fill the container with wet sand.
carefully lower the container into the water. and, slowly tip out its contents.
repeat this till you have covered the bottom, to the required depth.
top up your tank. replacing the water with care. time consuming but worth it. (switch the heater back on)
let the tank settle for a couple of hours. (if you have been careful all along, it should be, fairly, clear by then)
replace all your deccor. (now switch back on the filter)
once the water is, totally, clear. give your filter a clean. (mostly the mechanical section, if you have one)

there are many other variations. but all rely on you placing the sand, and adding the water, with much care.

so there you go.
Lovely jubbly as Del Boy would say.

 

[Aquascaper]

As above but you can drop the water level only slightly and use a coffee mug to scoop the (thoroughly) washed sand out of the bucket into the tank, making sure you lower it to the bottom before pouring out. Leave to settle and clean impellers, etc.

 

[raptorrex]

As above but you can drop the water level only slightly and use a coffee mug to scoop the (thoroughly) washed sand out of the bucket into the tank, making sure you lower it to the bottom before pouring out. Leave to settle and clean impellers, etc.

oops yeah. forgot to say "lower to the bottom of the tank". (actually the most vital part!)

I use the 50% because, quite simply. the less water you have, the lass sand it holds, the less time it takes to clear.

but all variations work.

 

[Aquascaper]

Depends how stocked the tank is, etc. as well. Some people prefer to leave the water high so the fish have more room to get away from the alien arm coming into the tank with a coffee mug, some prefer to add the sand with the water high so they can do a PWC afterwards to remove the last of the haze, others do it your way. There's no right or wrong just personal preference.

 

[Massey2]

Thanks all for that.

 

[Zikofski]

+1 on all above but i wouldnt turn the filter off, until you cleaned the sand, and i turned my filters back on asoon as i finished placing the sand in, helps clear the sand better but again clean filters, i have Filter floss so all i needed to do was replace that

To clean the sand, put into a bucket fill with water whoosh around and empty do this as many times until the sand runs clean

depending on how much sand you have, for my tank i needed to do that process like 50 times was time consuming but well worth it

 

[raptorrex]

+1 on all above but i wouldnt turn the filter off, until you cleaned the sand, and i turned my filters back on asoon as i finished placing the sand in, helps clear the sand better but again clean filters, i have Filter floss so all i needed to do was replace that

it can destroy an impeller, if you do it like that.
I know, I had to pay for one!
the water goes through the power head, before it is filtered, in an internal.
the above said, it was a cannister that copped it for me.

filters like Eheim, have a void below the filter baskets. this allows sand to drop, before its drawn through the media and pump.
however, not all externals are equal.
the HydoPrime 30 has no void.
and it had no impeller either, after my first try.

 

[mossonthemoon]

Could you use a long tube of some kind and funnel it down to the bottom (after it is washed, of course)?

 

[Massey2]

Could you use a long tube of some kind and funnel it down to the bottom (after it is washed, of course)?

I think this sounds a good idea, will try this.

 

[mossonthemoon]

Good luck! I didn't do it this way and my tank was incredibly murky. I stuffed my filter with wool pads though, which helped a lot. I would imagine that whichever method you choose, you would have to take it slowly. Even very well washed sand clouds up pretty easily.

 

[raptorrex]

Could you use a long tube of some kind and funnel it down to the bottom (after it is washed, of course)?

I thought of this.
but a simple experiment proved it wont work. (well, wont work with wet sand)
which is what i expected.
the sand just clumps and wont flow.
if you get it wet enough it flow, it messes up the water, just like you poured it in without care.

if you use dry sand it, eventually, (not too long) clogs the end up.
and as the tube empties, it fills up with water.

 

[KCB]

I just finished my change from gravel to sand yesterday and it was a huge pain! I don't think I washed the sand as thoroughly as necessary so I'd make sure you definitely have it as clean as possible, otherwise you'll end up with a murky tank like I did . Also, I used filter aid to clot the loose particles together and have to say it might have been easier without it!

 

[mossonthemoon]

I thought of this.
but a simple experiment proved it wont work. (well, wont work with wet sand)
which is what i expected.
the sand just clumps and wont flow.
if you get it wet enough it flow, it messes up the water, just like you poured it in without care.

if you use dry sand it, eventually, (not too long) clogs the end up.
and as the tube empties, it fills up with water.

Well you would have to move it around a bit and use it as a sort of push thing. I have done it since, when adding to my original sand and it worked fine for us!