Can I change my substrate?

[jojo_sor]

My tank has run for about a year now, and right now i have crushed corals as my substrate.

Right now I want to change it to sand.

Can I do it and how?

If I change it, is that mean I need to start everything from one again?

I have 5fish and some corals right now.

Thanks

 

[Michael]

im in the same position, i have read threads before here on RC and they are mixed, it seems as though opinions are leaning to sand is best, i still have cc though

 

[vanmo92]

I think it would be too much for the tank to change it all at once. But you could do it in 1/4's Take 1/4th of the cc out and replace it with the sand. And just repeat that every week or so till it is all done. That is what I would do.

 

[tbar]

I just removed my sand by siphoning some out each week during weekly water changes over 5 weeks to go bare bottom. You could just add the new sand in sections you removed it from.

 

[EllieSuz]

I'm in the process of removing crushed coral like tbar is doing it. I siphon it out weekly during the water change, using a siphon hose, but not the big attachment that vacuums the substrate. When I have most of the cc out, I'll slowly add rinsed sand. I don't think the little bit of cc under the rocks is going to be a problem. I'm not having any problem with nitrates, but the sand will be more attractive and better for the critters that dig in the sand.

 

[jojo_sor]

today, I took out 1/4th of the crushed coral and replaced with sand.

BUT

There are small bubbles keep floating up from bottom of the tank
from under the sand

what is that? is that some process happen?

 

[FL.Joe]

it can be done, just is sections. maybe 1/4 of the tank at a time

 

[jojo_sor]

is the bubbles floating up..normal?

 

[Reefing102]

the bubbles are more than likely air bubbles - normal