sand size comments

[optimus prime]

hi gangs,

as we know that sands comes in diff size grain, is there any diff. between

the diff size to the water quality.thanks!

[Achilles Tang]

With reference to a DSB... YES!

Big sand grains trap detritus easier. Smaller sand grains don't.

Sand-sifting creatures find it more painful to move around bigger grains as they tend to have sharper edges ... SERIOUS!

Smaller sand grains are easier for them to move around comfortably.

Big sand grains lets in more oxygen so using this for a DSB means you will probably need more than 10 inches or more to get the same effect with smaller grain sizes.

Smaller sand grains in a DSB allows detrinification effects in as little as 4 to 5" minimum. If you can find oolithic (mud like), maybe even 3"!

[optimus prime]

thanks bro!

[Sinn]

so that means that my 3 inch of big coral sand is insufficient?

if i have intentions to change my whole sand bed ( thinking about the trouble )...

how do i use it to 'seed' the new sand?

[newdamsel]

Hi sinn

I did just that.. i dugged up the chips leaving a thin layer behind...and cover it with the new sand... but thing is after that exercise, i realise that my tank bounced back to the havent cycle stage.. alot of worms and copepods die during the digging and in the end i have to start the cycle all over again~!!!

[kelstorm]

so that means that my 3 inch of big coral sand is insufficient?

if i have intentions to change my whole sand bed ( thinking about the trouble )...

how do i use it to 'seed' the new sand?

to seed your new sand, grab some of your old sand and mix them up.. and let nature does its work.

[Sinn]

the problem is...

if the copepods and stuff die it wont hurt me so much

but what about my fishes and prawn etc?

as u said damsel.. the cycle would start again...

i dont think i can put all my sand into my sump... even if i could the sand would be way to deep... would a super deep big sized sand bed work as good?

and would the live rock be uncured if i took it out of the water for some time while i do the sand? ( maybe ard 1 hr if i super cheong )

[Sinn]

but then again i think i could accomodate the sand into the sump in the area where my skimmer is.....

any suggestions?

thanx

[kelstorm]

and would the live rock be uncured if i took it out of the water for some time while i do the sand? ( maybe ard 1 hr if i super cheong )

they will do just fine.. to be on the safe side, grab some newspapers and wet it with the tank water.. then cover the LR that is outside the tank while u do your stuff.. the moisture is suffice.. unless u are in a aircon room.. which drys up the wet newspaper very fast.

[Sinn]

ok thanx....

where can i buy cheap small grain sand?

[kelstorm]

i bought some in aquamart.. at $8.50 per 10kg..

[Sinn]

ty

[Sinn]

just to recap...

seeding the new sand would take 1 month rite ?

i dont wanna mix the sand together cause the sand i have now is really big...

my plans are ...

put the old sand into the sump (sump smaller then main tank, so i guess the depth would be at ard 5 inch? is that too deep? )

dump the new washed sand to the main tank

live rocks next

arrange my pumps, powerheads etc

and let it run for 1 month ?

really scared the inhibitants would die esp the prawn

would they ?

thanx for the help guys

[Sinn]

oh... one more question, when can i remove the old sand from the sump?

1 month? less ?

[kelstorm]

just to recap...

seeding the new sand would take 1 month rite ?

i dont wanna mix the sand together cause the sand i have now is really big...

my plans are ...

put the old sand into the sump (sump smaller then main tank, so i guess the depth would be at ard 5 inch? is that too deep? )

dump the new washed sand to the main tank

live rocks next

arrange my pumps, powerheads etc

and let it run for 1 month ?

really scared the inhibitants would die esp the prawn

would they ?

thanx for the help guys

is this a new setup??? dun understand how come u gonna dump it into the sump then take it out again... <_<

[Sinn]

sump is connected to main tank ....

but the partition where i wanna put the old sand temporarily is supposed to be used for the skimmer...

thats y i have to remove it once the new sand is seeded

[kelstorm]

seeding the sand is done the moment u dump a handful of old sand into the new sand.. and let the bacteria start to grow in there