If you worked a small section at a time, that would work also. As Phurst said, use dry sand. You can take a pipe & funnel to use to direct the sand you are applying. I have found that if I rinse the sand I'm going to use to get the majority of small loose particles out of it and let it dry before I use it, it does not have a major sand storm cloud when I put it in the tank. Just an idea.