Can I add live sand after cycled?

[neastil]

When I set up my 100g I was going on mostly past experience (which is limited at best with SW) and i went with crushed coral. Is it too late to add sand now that my tank has cycled and i have fish in it ?

 

[neilanh]

it's not too late, but it'll be more challenging to do.

Do you have a QT or second tank available to host your fish while you make the swap? It'll be much less stressful for them if you do.

And are you planning on a complete swap out, or just adding sand on top of your CC?

 

[cmor1701d]

It would be best to replace about 1/4 of the cc each week till it's all sand. Many folks have done it. Do as search and you should find quite a few threads on that topic.

You want to have some sort of barrier that goes front to back to keep the 2 substrates separated while you change it out.

 

[neastil]

No i don't have a quarantine tank yet and I was thinking if i go for it, removing about half the crushed coral and replacing with sand. I'm assuming that will increase my bio-filter?

 

[neastil]

Would half crushed coral and half sand be good u think or no?

 

[Karlos69]

I dont think it would increase your biofilter but it will help to keep your nitrates down crushed coral is bad for that.

 

[neastil]

U think i should definitely switch it all for sand then?

 

[melosu58]

If it was me I would siphon up 1/4 areas of the substrate and then use a piece of PVC and slide the rinsed new sand down to the area you need it at. Then in a week or two move to the next 1/4 area and keep doing it till all the CC is gone and tank is all sand.

 

[neastil]

Thanks for the help!