Changing sand

[onthecourt4life]

ok so i posted this in the nano and the reef boards but still havent really got the answer i was looking for maybe i will get it here.
ok soi want to change the sand in my 20 gallon long reef i was woundering if there is going to be a new cycle? and how would you change the sand i was thinking (from my other post)

(what if i took out all the fish and inverts and rock out of the tank and put them in a cooler. then take out the rest of the water. keep 15 out of the 20 gallons. then take out almost all of the sand(leave alittle to seed the new then put the new sand right over the some of the old sand. (I am going to try and wash the new sand really good). then when the sand is back put a garbage bag down over the sand then pour the 15 gallons of water i kept in the tank slowly. then put the 5gallons of fresh saltwater water in. then add the live rock and invert and fish. would this work?)

 

[onthecourt4life]

anyone?

 

[Jamokie01]

If you take it all out at once, yes. If you remove it over the course of a week or two, should be nothing noticeable.

 

[FroggyFeet]

What kind of inverts?

 

[onthecourt4life]

just a pepperment and a pistol shrimp

 

[Myka]

Use 1/2" tubing to suck the old sand out. Suck out 1/4 of the old sand it, and replace it with new stuff (if you use "live" sand you don't have to rinse it, and it will cloud the water less). In 3 days suck out another 1/4 and replace it with new stuff. Carry on until it's all done. Of course you won't be able to get every last grain of old sand out (which isn't necessarily bad), and you'll end up sucking out a bit of the new sand, but you won't get a cycle this way. It's totally safe. I've done it on a well established 180 mostly SPS tank with no ill effects, only positive ones.

 

[onthecourt4life]

ok thanks so like a plan

 

[Myka]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[onthecourt4life]

ok

 

[chefrt]

Check here:
http://www.melevsreef.com/rinsing_sand.html

 

[Myka]

^ I've heard of people doing that and not getting good results. Just get new sand. Don't skimp out.

 

[ginger7286]

You will have a cycle. Anytime you add new sand, rock, several fish etc there is an expected cycle. I agree with Jamokie01 nothing big, but you are adding bacteria, good or bad the filter will have to catch up. Becareful how much you wash the sand, you'll be washing a way all the good established bacteria. Good luck

 

[cwilson]

i agree with myka's method. buy new, live sand, and just replace section at a time.

having only a 20 gallon, it shouldnt be "that" expensive, although i use the quotes becasue everyones fincail situation/tank budget is defferent.