[tc3]

I have a 58 gal reef that has been up and running for three years now. My sandbed is approx 2-2.5" thick and consists mostly of ESV oolitic aragonite sand, with a little Somoan Pink sand as well. I've been debating over increasing the thickness to 4-5" using the extra ESV aragonite sand that I still have to help with denitrification, and better environment for crittters to live. My question is, would adding this sand start anther bio cylcing period??? Would I be better off ordering live sand that is already established??? I do want to increase the diversity of the critters in the sandbed as well, but I don't want to harm the current inhabitants. Opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[scubadude]

I doubt it will have any ill effects or restart a cycle if you add it "Slowly" I mean like a cup or two daily....and when you add it I would try very hard to not stir up the water. And rinse the sand somewhat before you put it in....I think you will be fine. If you are reall worried about it then you can test your params a day or two into it and see if you have any spikes

[dsb1829]

scubadude give good advice. I wouldn't rinse it personally because you will loose some of the fine sediments that help make the DSB very efficient. Corals and fish won't be affected by the murky water. I was assured by Doctor Ron that even though it looks cloudy the fish and corals will be just fine. A cup or two daily is very conservative, but pretty much failsafe for avoiding cycling issues. You can add more so long as you don't add more than an inch in depth, so the critters can rise to the appropriate depth and not get burried too deep.

[golfish]

This has come up from time to time in the past few years. Most people agree that adding 1/2" or less per week will be fine. Adding too much my cause some of the critters to die off......

Mark

[tc3]

Thanks for the advise! I will certainly take it slow!