Removing a DSB

[biomekanic]

I'm in the midst of trading off my old tank, which has a DSB I need to get rid of.

My own wet/dry vac is a 1 gallon model, a this is a 75g tank with a 6" DSB... I'd rather not rent a 5g shop vac.

I was thinking of alternate means of removing the DSB, just vacuuming it out with my Python and running it down the drain would not seem to be a good idea IMO. I'd rather not have to explain to my landlord why my pipes are full of sand... I like having a home.

The idea occured to me that it would dissolve in a more acidic environment, I have a CO2 tank for my CA reactor... so, put in a powerhead w/a venturi, fire up the CO2 and convert the sand bed into liquid form. Keep draining/refilling until the tank is empty. Brilliant, or am I full of BS?

 

[vikubz]

If you've got the time to do it gradually, you can just vacuum it out when you siphon your tank. That's what I did when I decided to go bare bottom.

A python will clog as well as putting a whole bunch of sand down your drain. I just siphoned into a bucket.

 

[elegance coral]

Why not just use a garden shovel, large cup, or something like that and dip it out into trash bags and throw it out with the trash? I wish I was in your area I would come take it off your hands.

 

[vikubz]

A plastic dust pan works well for scooping.

 

[biomekanic]

There's about 300lbs of sand in there, it's a 6" bed in a 75g tank.

 

[Joshua1023]

If there is a reef club in your area, I'm sure some of the guys would love to take it off your hands. Just for biodiversity sake if nothing else.

 

[elegance coral]

I'm with Joshua1023. To buy that much live sand in my area would cost you about $600 or $700. I'm sure someone would love to take it off your hands.

 

[wheresalbany]

When I ripped out the sand beds from some of my FW tanks, I used one of those 20 gallon tubs used for chilling drinks and a large diameter siphon hose. Just start the siphon and suck away. I used my Python to suck out the excess water when it got too high. all you're left with is the sand. HTH.

 

[IMAGINEER]

help out some local guys dude ...geez