BB to SSB Conversion

[carb850]

My tank is now 3-4 months old and seemingly healthy. I'm getting a bit of algae, but all my fish and corals seem happy. Anyhow, I currently have a sheet of HDPE in the bottom and I'm wanting to remove that and add a shallow sand bed in it's place. I plan on using dry aragonite for the substate. Can I just remove everything, add the sand, then put it all back including the water? Will the aragonite change the water chemistry in a way that might be harmful to the livestock if done all at once?

 

[cloak]

I would change it over exactly like you described. Your tank might be a little cloudy for a few days after adding the sand but I don't think it will throw off the chemistry in any way. Should be fine.

 

[carb850]

Thanks. Once I save up for a big ol' pile of sand I will find out if we are correct or not.

 

[James77]

I have a SSB over a HDPE white bottom. If any sand blows away, you will see white instead of bare glass. Plus if you decide to go back to BB, you can just vaccuum the sand right out.

 

[carb850]

I like your logic but I'm getting some debris collecting under my HDPE which is one of the reasons I'm considering the swap in the first place.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1659594