Refugium sandbed question.

[polarbear]

So I have a sandbed in my refugium that I want to add more sand to to make it deeper. The question is do I add the new sand over what's already in there or do I mix it together?

[Chad and Jen May]

I wouldnt mix the sand thats in there... its bound to release all kinds of nasties into your tank.

[pbnj]

If you feel you must add more sand, I would say slowly add very thin layers in sections over time. Defintely do not mix/stir.

[Woods]

+1 to what PBNJ said

[AquaJohn]

if its under 2" deep there is not much danger in mixing it in other than releasing some old nutirents that will spike phosphates some. Its when the sandbed is deep and traps bad gasses that it is deadly when you mess with it.

look at how much sand gobies , rays and other sand dwellers mixup.

Edited November 23, 2011 by AquaJohn

[austx]

Read this method on another post somewhere. Try a funnel and piece of pvc pipe, this will get the sand to the bottom with little disturbance and a better dispersal around the existing bed. Good luck.

[Timfish]

I don't think it matters that much. I'm lazy and would just dump it in though but Bchap's method would not only work well in your 'fuge but also work in your tank so you don't get sand on your corals. If you feel you need to mix it up the anaerobic sand will have a gray tint to it from the hydrogen sulfide and you want to be care full not to stir that.