Adding Additional Substrate?

Dentoid · 01-16-2007, 10:59 PM

Can I add additional substrate on top of my existing substrate. I have 4" LS bed, mixed grade and would like to top it off with some fine argonite, the pretty white kind. If so how much and what is the ideal type. Should it be alive. Thanks for any help. Here is what it looks like.

PhilOlsen · 01-16-2007, 11:04 PM

Adding more will not be a issue, but it prob. wont just stay on top, either when you clean the tank, or critters will mix it with what you have. As for live, dont bother, your established substrate will take care of that. Also be ready for a sandstorm, it wont harm anything and will go away fairly quickly.

Dentoid · 01-16-2007, 11:10 PM

Thanks Phil! I guess I was hoping for frosting on the cake.

JFK_Jr · 01-16-2007, 11:21 PM

Get yourself a length of 1.5" or 2" PVC pipe and then pour your sand down the pipe with a pitcher.

Keeps things tidy and you won't get sand all over your corals.

Dentoid · 01-16-2007, 11:34 PM

Great idea!

sasquatch · 01-16-2007, 11:36 PM

Scott, from what Ive been reading on this,if you add too much too fast you can suffocate you existing substrate with the resulting nightmare. I would hold off a bit till more info is presented.Steve

PhilOlsen · 01-16-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Scott, from what Ive been reading on this,if you add too much too fast you can suffocate you existing substrate with the resulting nightmare. I would hold off a bit till more info is presented.Steve

Hey Steve,
makes sense, where did you get the info from I would like to check it out as I was planning on adding some sand to one of my tanks this weekend. Any idea how much is to much?

Dentoid · 01-16-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Scott, from what Ive been reading on this,if you add too much too fast you can suffocate you existing substrate with the resulting nightmare. I would hold off a bit till more info is presented.Steve

See, this is why I come to RS. Great advice. Thanks Steve, I will wait until I research more.

sasquatch · 01-17-2007, 12:44 AM

Like a marble in a tin can, stuff just rattles around and pops out, if I could put it all together Id be wealthy lol.Steve

Cougra · 01-17-2007, 12:36 PM

When adding dead sand on top of live sand you should only add a maximum of 1/2" layer until the top part of the sand has time to become colonized with bacteria. This way the creatures inthe sand bed can start stirring it around.

Like Steve said, don't add too much or you'll have major problems. Go SLOW and use caution with this process!

boozeman · 01-17-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Like a marble in a tin can, stuff just rattles around and pops out, if I could put it all together Id be wealthy lol.Steve

sasquatch · 01-17-2007, 08:29 PM

WooHoo, reading does pay off, Ive been right 2 times this week and its only wednesday lol, Ive put a post up at Mr Calfos site so Ill pop over and see wuss up.Steve

sasquatch · 01-17-2007, 08:41 PM

1/2 inch per time,Just like Cougra says, confirmed Steve out lol

Cougra · 01-17-2007, 10:00 PM

lol checking up on me are you! lol

sasquatch · 01-17-2007, 10:32 PM

Michelle!one should never worship blindly,please climb the pedestal you are hereby approved lol. Steve

01-16-2007, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,827 View Gallery Karma Komment	Adding Additional Substrate? Can I add additional substrate on top of my existing substrate. I have 4" LS bed, mixed grade and would like to top it off with some fine argonite, the pretty white kind. If so how much and what is the ideal type. Should it be alive. Thanks for any help. Here is what it looks like. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-16-2007, 11:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Adding more will not be a issue, but it prob. wont just stay on top, either when you clean the tank, or critters will mix it with what you have. As for live, dont bother, your established substrate will take care of that. Also be ready for a sandstorm, it wont harm anything and will go away fairly quickly.

01-16-2007, 11:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,827 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Thanks Phil! I guess I was hoping for frosting on the cake. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-16-2007, 11:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Get yourself a length of 1.5" or 2" PVC pipe and then pour your sand down the pipe with a pitcher. Keeps things tidy and you won't get sand all over your corals. __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

01-16-2007, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,827 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Great idea! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-16-2007, 11:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Scott, from what Ive been reading on this,if you add too much too fast you can suffocate you existing substrate with the resulting nightmare. I would hold off a bit till more info is presented.Steve

01-17-2007, 12:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Like a marble in a tin can, stuff just rattles around and pops out, if I could put it all together Id be wealthy lol.Steve

01-17-2007, 12:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? When adding dead sand on top of live sand you should only add a maximum of 1/2" layer until the top part of the sand has time to become colonized with bacteria. This way the creatures inthe sand bed can start stirring it around. Like Steve said, don't add too much or you'll have major problems. Go SLOW and use caution with this process! __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

01-17-2007, 08:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? WooHoo, reading does pay off, Ive been right 2 times this week and its only wednesday lol, Ive put a post up at Mr Calfos site so Ill pop over and see wuss up.Steve

01-17-2007, 08:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? 1/2 inch per time,Just like Cougra says, confirmed Steve out lol

01-17-2007, 10:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? lol checking up on me are you! lol __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

01-17-2007, 10:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding Additional Substrate? Michelle!one should never worship blindly,please climb the pedestal you are hereby approved lol. Steve

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