How to Add Live Sand to an Existing Tank
Live sand is used in saltwater and reef aquariums. Not only does live sand add a natural look to the tank, but it benefits the saltwater ecosystem by providing natural filtration in the form of beneficial bacteria. Many tiny creatures grow in live sand, providing nutrition for the occupants of the fishtank. Adding new live sand to an existing tank does not need to be messy and dangerous.
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Instructions
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1
Turn off filters and skimmers. You do not want sand getting into them.
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2
Give the existing gravel, sand or substrate a good cleaning with a gravel or sand vacuum. This will keep the new sand from stirring up waste when it falls onto the substrate. Vacuum until you have lowered the level of the water by about 25 percent to ensure that the addition of new sand won't cause an overflow.
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3
Fill a clean plastic bag to 3/4 full with live sand.
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4
Close the top of the plastic bag, and lower the bag into the water. Get the bag as close to the bottom of the aquarium as you can.
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5
Slowly rotate the bag until the opening faces the bottom. Gently shake the sand out of the plastic bag and onto the floor of your tank, slowly moving the bag to where you want your sand to fall.
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6
Refill the bag and repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have put all the sand you want into your aquarium.
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7
Replace the water you vacuumed out with new saltwater.
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8
Turn on filters and skimmers. The aquarium may appear cloudy until all the sand has settled.
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Tips & Warnings
Another method of placing sand is to pour it through a funnel attached to a pvc pipe down to the bottom of your tank.
Use aquarium ready, cured live sand--do not use sand you pick up from the beach.
