Going BB from DSB... possiible?

[Waxxiemann]

Hey,

I'm contemplating making the switch from DSB to BB. My tank has been runnning for about 7 months. It only has 50 lbs of LR and a few corals but it is fully stocked with fish, shrimp and snails ect.

Am I asking for trouble? I have about 300 LBS of live sand in there right now. It's a 90 gallon tank and the bed is about 5"-5.5" deep.

I want to have a HIGH flow environment for SPS corals I plan to add in the future.

I guess all of the water in the tank currently would be compromised. Can some one point me to a thread or link that details the procedure? if there even is one.

Cheers.

 

[LittlePuff]

What fish do you have in there? Some really need a sandbed. Just vacuum it out in sections.

 

[Waxxiemann]

THese are my fish:

Longnose hawk
5 Chromis
Ocellaris clown
Foxface rabbit fish
lawnmower blenny
royal gramma
cleaner wrasse

 

[King-Kong]

What is your total flow and protein skimming capacity?

Ideally, you want to cook your rocks before going BB, but it is fine to switch without it (I did) -- it just takes longer and requires more work for the system to balance out.

 

[LittlePuff]

I'd go for it. You will need extra flow and a very good skimmer.

 

[Waxxiemann]

Sorry I'm a little slow to respond today guys (UFC was on).

My skimmer is an AquaC EV240. Its overrated for my tank size but I personally would not go smaller for a tank of this size in the EV range. I would say that it does a good job for the load that I have but I expected more.

All I have for flow right now is a Maxi Jet 600, maxi jet 900, a maxi jet 1200 and a Seio 800. I have 2 tunze 6100's and multi controller in mind (and while I have the money) for the final flow. I'll take out the Maxi jets as well as the seio.

I'm going to use the maxi 1200 for the return section of my sump (60 gallons) to keep the detritus in suspension and change out the 2 crappy power heads I have in my fuge for the 900.

On a side note I'd like to mention that I'm feeling for Renato Babloo Sobral (sp?) right now. I was really pulling for him. I like Chick Lidell but man, the guy has GOT to loose sometime.

Thank you guys for the help so far.

I have a concern about vaccuming out the sand a little at a time. If I take out too much at once, don't I risk crashing the tank?

Cheers,
Waxx

 

[King-Kong]

Your DSB probably isnt old enough to have those dangerous pockets.

A pair of Tunze 6100's on full would do your tank well. Thats around the point you'd want to be, and which would allow you to keep that detritus in your water suspended.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

You dont need to get rid of your sand to have high flow. If you want to get rid of it for other reasons that's fine, but dont just get rid of it because you feel you cant have enough flow if you have sand.

I have two 6000's and a mag 7 return on my 75g. I never have sandstorms, but at the same time nothing ever settles on the sand. You might just have to move the rockwork and corals around to get the flow you want.

 

[yeame]

try a remote sand bed you will still get everything from the sand but you gain space and you dont have to look at it