Removing Deep Sand Bed dsb

[bmacrc]

I have a 6-7" deep sand bed that has been established for 5 years. I have never been able to keep it "live" and want to remove the deep sand bed and try a 1" sand bed. My typical steps breaking down a tank is to remove the live rock and corals, drain water down to 5" and then catch the fish. I'm concerned that when I pull out the live rock it will release hydrogen sulfide and harm the fish before I can get them out. The live rock is buried in the dsb.

One other option might be to quickly scoop out the sand before removing the live rock, corals and fish. The tank is 300 gallons and is going to take some time to breakdown, trying to think ahead and avoid any casualties.

Thanks in advance for any input and suggestions. Bob...

 

[ericarenee]

i would remove as much live rock as you can without disturbing whats in the sand bed before removing any water.. then catch the fish.. I use a piece of acrylic with holes in it to corner them to one end of the tank to make catching them with a container easier. I do not like to use a net ..

If you have to remove the live rock under the sand again i would do so slowly and with the tank full of water.. The more water the more it will dilute the sulfate that Will be Released....


Catching the fish asap during the process is key.. in my opinion.... my tank is only 240 but i went thru that once .....

Good Luck

 

[ethuman]

you could just siphen it out a little at a time with you water changes I believe. I accidentally siphen some sand out everytime I do a water change but im pretty positive is I wanted to get half a bucket at a time it would suck out no problem. im not where near an expert but just a thought

 

[Half Vaped]

you could just siphen it out a little at a time with you water changes I believe. I accidentally siphen some sand out everytime I do a water change but im pretty positive is I wanted to get half a bucket at a time it would suck out no problem. im not where near an expert but just a thought

I would do it this way as well, removing a little bit of sand every few days over the course of three to four weeks. Should minimize the stress you put your livestock through and you wouldn't have to completely break down the tank.

 

[ericarenee]

you could just siphen it out a little at a time with you water changes I believe. I accidentally siphen some sand out everytime I do a water change but im pretty positive is I wanted to get half a bucket at a time it would suck out no problem. im not where near an expert but just a thought

I would do it this way as well, removing a little bit of sand every few days over the course of three to four weeks. Should minimize the stress you put your livestock through and you wouldn't have to completely break down the tank.

For a 5 year old tank i call tell you this is a BIG mistake.. a DEEP SAND BED WILL Be Full of dead rotten material holding toxic gasses Once they are disturbed its OVER...

When you get down to the nasty layer deep in the sand bed you have released havoc on your system .
Even the Live rock that is buried in his sand will likely have to be tossed .
..
I HAVE BEEN THERE DONE THIS.. There is only one way... Get everything out before you disturb it...

 

[StatelineReefer]

For a 5 year old tank i call tell you this is a BIG mistake.. a DEEP SAND BED WILL Be Full of dead rotten material holding toxic gasses Once they are disturbed its OVER...

When you get down to the nasty layer deep in the sand bed you have released havoc on your system .
Even the Live rock that is buried in his sand will likely have to be tossed .
..
I HAVE BEEN THERE DONE THIS.. There is only one way... Get everything out before you disturb it...

I can verify this to be true. remove everything that's alive BEFORE disturbing the sand bed. If it's established, and the proper bacteria have colonized it, disturbing the sand bed will oxygenate the anaerobic bacteria. Dead anaerobic bacteria. I'm pretty sure five years is also enough time for hydrogen sulfate pockets to form, as these are respirated by the anaerobics.

 

[anthonys51]

plus 300 gallon tank with a 7 inch sand bed, siphoning it would probably require 1000 water changes even if it was safe to do

 

[bmacrc]

Thanks so much for the help. I will proceed with taking the corals and live rock out with minimal disturbance of the sand bed. I have over 20 rocks in the sand bed. I'm going to work at a quick and planned pace. Then catch the fish and breakdown the tank. I plan on doing this over Christmas break. Thanks again for the help. This approach makes the most sense. Bob...

 

[Behroz]

Hello

Hello

Hello. i just read all and i have a plan do this in my 150 gl . did you add 1 inch sand same time in your tank ? Did you used your old sand or start whit new ? Thanks