[philolsen]

I need some solutions. I want to add sand to my tank as the substrate but I have a couple issues.

1) How do I add it so the water wont get cloudy?

2) What do I do if it does become cloudy?

3) Is it worth it to get live sand??

I am adding to a existing display tank with a Fluval 404 cannister filter, 2 MJ 1200 powerheads plus 1 on a Remora skimmer and a 11w UV filter.

[prow]

Originally Posted by philolsen

1) How do I add it so the water wont get cloudy?

you dont. no matter what you do you will have a sand storm. rinsing it real good will help but you will still have a storm.

2) What do I do if it does become cloudy?

nothing wait about a week it will go away. then after it clears clean everything you will have film everywhere. pumps everything needs to be wiped after.

3) Is it worth it to get live sand??

IMO no!!

I am adding to a existing display tank with a Fluval 404 cannister filter, 2 MJ 1200 powerheads plus 1 on a Remora skimmer and a 11w UV filter.

when you add the sand turn off the skimmer. also ditch the fluval, unless you just want the flow from it. then take out all the sponges and media in it. i would just ditch it. LR and sand will be all the bio you need.

[philolsen]

The Fluval is the only filter on the tank, are you saying I do not need any filter with the live rock and sand? Not even for mechanical filtration?

[prow]

yup. your cleaning crew (nails, funa, ect...) will take care of that. all you need is the skimmer, LR and sand. the fluval will become a nitrate factory. unless you clean it every other day, i would ditch it.

[wozza]

doesnt it depend on how much LR he has?
if he only has a few pounds then its not ginna be enuf.
he will need about 1lb/gal
james

[philolsen]

I have about 1 1/4 lbs per gallon of water

[prow]

Originally Posted by wozza

doesnt it depend on how much LR he has?
if he only has a few pounds then its not ginna be enuf.
he will need about 1lb/gal
james

just an FYI
the LR does give surface area for aerobic bac, but so does the sand, which is more than enough area for aerobic bio filtration to take place and support the tank. the amount of LR and/or depth of the sand is more for anaerobic bac. so the amount of sand and LR matters more for denitrification proccesses. there will be enough surface area for nitrification to take place with just the sand.

of course you need good flow. that togather with the skimmer will provide enough O2 for respirations. that is all you need for aerobic bac filtration to take place. (surface area and O2 delivered via flow). the problem with a fluva in a reef is it is to efficient.

[philolsen]

It is just a fowler, not a reef. Does that matter?

[prow]

well it does but not that much. biggest difference is the use of denitrification. for your tank, your substrate will provide the aerobic bio filtration. for your mechanical filtration adding a few snails, crabs, starfish ect..(cleaning crew) and because your going with sand and LR enough worms, mysids, sponges, tiny serpant stars ect... will grow and take care of the mechanical part. if you want to use the fluval for mechanical filtration you will have to clean it out every couple of days. it will work but IMO too much work involved and not needed.