How to save the most "life"

[jeff67]

Swapping out a 8-10 year old 110 gallon fish only tank (crushed coral substrate) to a new tank. Going to start off with new crushed coral but wondering how to save as many little crabs and other life that has been established over the years. Any easy way to do it? Or is all the existing stuff pretty much a write off?
If I drain all the water will most of the critters be crawling around on the CC?

 

[StephLionfish]

The only way I found to do it was scoop the CC out with a bowl, and put it into a larger container. That way I could pick out any worms or snails or cool looking shells along the way. I put it all into a container with water, so that the ones I missed would come up to the top, and I could pick them out and toss them into the DT.
Painful job, but I saved some worms and crabs and snails... ( Invert lover over here)