Deep sand bed

[Terryc]

I'm going to be changing my shallow Sand bed to a deep sand bed. I was thinking of adding Red Sea dry reef base. Do you think this will be ok. My tanks been running for nearly 2 years now, so the tank is well matured

 

[mr_X]

I think putting a couple inches of sand on top of your existing bed will kill a lot of what's in it. I would not be surprised if you saw a spike from it. I would add a little bit of sand each week, to give any worms and pods a chance to crawl upward to oxygenated water.

 

[Terryc]

That sounds like a plan. What do you think about that brand of sand? Or do you have one you recommend

 

[mr_X]

It doesn't matter. I used Carib Sea live sand for my tank. It was about as cheap as dry.

 

[Terryc]

I didn't think you could put live sand in an established tank? It's a lot cheaper than the Red Sea dry reef base.

 

[mr_X]

I didn't put it in an established tank, but i don't see a problem doing it. I doubt very highly that there is ammonia in a bag of live sand.

 

[Terryc]

If I went for live sand, do you think it would be ok to add more as it's already alive and shouldn't kill what's underneath

 

[mr_X]

No. I still would not recommend covering the old bed completely all at once.

 

[Terryc]

Cheers for the advice. Il let you know how it's goes