Deepening sand bed?

[sgarron]

I have about 1.5" of sand in my tank for the last 4 monts. I would like to add another 1.5 to 2". Can I do it all at once or do I have to do it a little at a time?

 

[Hawkeye]

I'd do it a little at a time...only because the sand bed right now is probably too shallow to have anaerobic bacteria - and hence most of it is going to be aerobic, oxygen needing bacteria. If you pour the entire 1.5 on top of them - you may literally suffocate that bacteria...which may result in ammonia release.

I would see maybe doing the tank in stages...even making it uneven so that the bed evens itself out over time.

On the other hand if the main source of nitrification is the LR and the current sandbed isn't really contributing a whole lot - then I don't see how a small amount of ammonia release would impact the overall tank.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm hedging or saying "it depends"...

Is this an attempt to build a DSB?

 

[sgarron]

Not really, I have a DSB in my refugium. I just like the look better. And I want to go with a coarser sand to minimize sand storms when I add the Tunze powerheads.