how to add a DBS???

im running bare bottom right now, with 90 LBS of LR, in a 90 gallon set up, established for almost a year.

marco rocks has 160 lbs of sand for just over 100 bucks, which will make a 4.7 inch sand bed. (lemme know if this isnt enuff for a DSB, so that i can get more.)

the way i see it i have 3 options...

1. get it, rinse it, and add it, then blow off any sand on my rocks.

2. get it, rinse it, take everything outta the tank for a day or two, add the sand, let it settle, the put everything back in?

3. get it, rinse it, add it to a rubbermade for a month or two to let it cycle, take everything outta the tank for a day or two, add the sand, let it settle, the put everything back in?

i want a sand bed for looks, function of removing nitrate, to be a home for corals, and to raise everything in my take 5'' or so.

 

if its live sand dont rinse because it will have die off but if its not then rinse it very well, however I know by adding a lot of dry rock will cause a cycle but im not sure about sand causing a mini-cycle

however the best way to pour sand in a tank already filled with water is to take a 3/4 or 1" pvc pipe and a funnel and put the pvc to the bottom of the tank and pour sand in slowly it will cause less clouding however the tank will probably be a little milky for a few days

hope this helps and hope someone will chime in with the possibility of causing a mini cycle

 

you might check out the current issue of coral magazine. they have a really good article on setting up a DSB.

 

I've added live sand to existing systems with no problem. As suggested, lower a piece of PVC to the bottom and pour the sand through it, or as I did, slowly lower the sand to the bottom in a cup or bowl and gently dump into place.

 

so option 3 is my safest bet. thanks guys!

 

I would recommend you cycle it but you dont necessarily have to remove everything if you use the piece of pvc to pour the sand to the bottom to give it the least amount of stirring up...the water will be a little milky for a day or so but keep your pumps running and it will clear up and milky water wont affect your fish etc

 

yea but then half my rocks will be burried in sand.

 

lol you do have a point there since its a DSB and not a shallow one

 

I love most of the stuff Macro sells, and Marc will always take good care of you. That said, I have found the sand they sell to be too fine to suit me...it's a super, super fine sand which looks awesome dry, but once it's in the tank it's really hard to work with...just about any flow will create a sand storm, LOL! Just my .02 cents...I much prefer something just a bit courser in the 1mm-2mm range...that's still fine enough, but also large enough grain size to help it stay in place.

Whatever you choose the PVC pipe method works well to get the sand where you want it and helps minimize clouding.

 

In regards to rinsing the sand and the article in Coral Magazine - the author specifically stated NOT to rinse the sand. You want to have the fines (dust) in the sand as it is really beneficial for some of the critters to burrow/live in.