Adding More Sand

[Hulka9]

Is it okay to add more sand to my aquarium after its already set up? Im in the cycling stage with 2 fish in and Im realizing a bag more might do some good for when I get live plants. If so, whats the best method of doing this? Im thinking of putting the fish in a bag until the new sand settles. Would that work?

 

[Fishdude3233]

Yup no issue with more sand.

 

[Hulka9]

How would you recommend doing it?

 

[Fishdude3233]

Turning filters off otherwise sand gets stuck, and jams the impeller. Putting the sand in and waiting 15-20 minutes for it to settle, then put the fish back in the tank. Different grain sands take longer or shorter amounts of time to settle.

 

[Hulka9]

Okay cool thanks

 

[Hulka9]

One more question. I used aquarium sand from my local fish store. It doesn't specify what type of sand it is. From what I've read pool filter sand is the best. Should I add a layer of that or continue to use the aquarium sand I bought?

 

[Hulka9]

Heres a picture

 

[Fishdude3233]

PFS sand is best if your on a budget IMO, but aquarium sand is fine to no advantage except aquarium sand IME sinks Instantly so you only wait 10-15 minutes, instead of a couple hours

 

[Hulka9]

Awesome thanks for the advice.

 

[jwh0818]

PFS looks nothing like that sand. It's way different. Top layer in pic is PFS

 

[Fishdude3233]

Fish what are those long stem plants?

 

[Hulka9]

Yeah definitely not mixing then. I like how white my sand is. I only have a 10 gallon so it wont't be that expensive.

 

[jwh0818]

Fish what are those long stem plants?

That's anacharis (think that's the right spelling) I have to trim every 2 weeks because they grow 2ft long

 

[Cynic]

As you have such a small tank either remove your fish before hand or add a very small amount of sand over a period of time. Sand can drop tank temperature very quickly so be careful you don't shock your fish to death.