Adding sand to running tank

I need to add about 10 more pounds of sand to my tank which is up and running and I won't be able to remove fish since I only have one tank. What is the best way to do this without having it cloud up my water? I understand it will obviously but anybody have a method to getting it in the water without it flying around as much? Would a turkey baster work? LOL

 

The best way to do is to wash the sand in RO/DI water several times. You will not get it totally clean, so don't try to. I then turn the flow down in the tank, or if you can't turn it down, turn off the power heads. I then take a cup, scope some sand into it and slowly pour it near the bottom of the tank to where you want it. I've never added that much sand at once, I usually had a few lbs, but if you a well established tank, then I don't see any real problems.

 

Sounds simple enough. I assume washing it out first would clean and minimize the cloud that will come when adding right?

I could probably add a few pounds over this week.

 

A pvc pipe and a funnel work very well. Wash first of course.

 

I like the PVC pipe idea!

You could also run mechanical filtration immediately afterward... I would only turn the powerheads off for a brief time though... more flow will probably help dissipate the sediment... if you have corals, go back with a turkey baster and make sure the sediment doesn't settle on them. It's not going to hurt anything to have cloudy water for a day or so... just make sure the corals don't have sediment sitting on them for too long.

 

Using PVC is almost limitless! Thanks for the tip!

 

+1 this is how I always do it, works like a charm.

 

That's a really good idea, I'll have to use it next time I add more sand.

 

you should try to put themmm in big ziplock bags take out as much air as possible and let it sit at the bottom of the tank then open the bag let that sit for a sec and remove the bag or cut bag which removes one side (top) and put the plastic

make sure u dont spread it over the other sand or else it will sufficate the established sand (live sand) if your using dry sand

 

seems like putting it on the existing sand would be unavoidable... but it does make a good point... I wouldn't put all the new sand in a deep layer above the old sand... you may want to add a small amount per day over a few days... just so the sand has a chance to blend together and develop bacteria without killing off the bacteria in the bottom layers...