I started a 20 gallon high tank today. I added 15 pounds of packaged live sand. I think this was a mistake. I set up the tank, added rock, and let everything run. I now realize I want some burrowing fish and I also want more filtration and I need a DSB. The LFS that I bought the tank from is tearing down a tank soon and said I can have some sand from it.
Is it safe for me to add the sand? Should I remove the rock? Will this hurt the system?
Any tips on a DSB?
Thanks.

It will be fine to add the sand. If you want burrowing fish you should definitely put your rock on stands so it doesn't get toppled. I think that Amphibious has pictures of his here http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/412-amphibious-135-gal-reef.html. (http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/412-amphibious-135-gal-reef.html)

Try to go 5" deep as the sand will compact. If you are getting sand from their tank that is optimal! You will get all kinds of beneficial critters.

Okay thanks!
How much will probably make that deep of a sand bed? I already have 15 pounds.

You are going to need another 25 lbs or so. In my experience 1.5 to 2.5 lbs per gallon for a DSB is a good rule of thumb. :)

I started a 20 gallon high tank today. I added 15 pounds of packaged live sand. I think this was a mistake. I set up the tank, added rock, and let everything run. I now realize I want some burrowing fish and I also want more filtration and I need a DSB. The LFS that I bought the tank from is tearing down a tank soon and said I can have some sand from it.
Is it safe for me to add the sand? Should I remove the rock? Will this hurt the system?
Any tips on a DSB?
Thanks.

Texas-

Congrats on starting the tank! I know you did a good amount of research before starting, which is always good.

What type of sand (brand and grade) did you get?

I was also thinking of the 20g tall AGA (with a DSB) for my office. For a small tank, it provides extra height for the DSB, while keeping a standard 24" width for lighting. I'll keep a eye on your thread to see how you progress.

Don't forget pics!

-S

BTW: I found a site with a DSB calculator (http://www.3reef.com/sand.shtml). According to this calculator, a tank with a 24"x12" bottom should require almost 55 pounds of substrate. Since you already have 15 pounds in there, you should be able to estimate what you need by measuring what you have.

Shimek's DSB article (http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep%20Sand%20Beds.htm) (thans Amphibious!) is a good read, particularly the part of adding and maintaining detrivores.

Thanks!
I am glad I finally got a tank running.
Thanks for all the advice. I will get the new sand soon.

It is CaribSea sand. I will check the grain size later.

Good deal! Keep us posted.

Beware the upcoming sandstorm.

Should I take the rock out to add the sand? Will this kill the hitchhiker, there are some hermits.
Should I just put the hermits in a cup of water?

Livestock will weather sand blowing around just fine. As to moving the rock, it's not a bad idea to leave it in place when you add the sand. It will add some stability to the rockwork. If you ever get anything that burrows, you'll be glad you did. Just takr a turkey baster or powerhead and blow the fine silt off the rocks after the water clears up.

When I was adding the sand I put the hermits into the bucket of sand. I have about 2 inches of sand in now and when the sand clears a little bit I will add my rock then add more. I am worried about the hermits. I hope they make it.
The water is gross, I have the canister filter running.

This is a great use for the cannister filter and exactly what I mean by water polishing. The hermits should be OK, most critters don't mind the sandstorm.

Okay good, thanks.
I brought home a powerhead, a Maxi-Jet 1200. I cleaned it and put it in the tank and it looks like it is providing way to much flow. I think it is 295 gallons per hour. Is this way to much? I think I might buy a powersweep.

Nah, not too much flow at all. That's only about 15x turnover. Depening on what corals you want to keep, you may well want more than that. Once the sand settles the flow won't move it around much. I'd aviod the powersweeps unlees you don't mind giving them a GOOD cleaning every couple of days. They tend to foul very easily. If you want random, alternating flow, get 2 maxijets and point them at each other, or put them on a wavemaker.

Okay good, when I added it the sand kicked up and so I thought it would be a problem.
Thanks.

The sand will get a bio-film on it and it will then stop blowing around.