replacing sand bed in an SPS tank

[RebelReef]

Hello all, thank you for visiting my thread. I would like to get some advice in replacing the sand bed in an sps tank, while avoiding a cycle and stress to the corals.

These are my goals; Remove my old sand bed and put in a new one without a cycle. I'd like to be able to maintain this sand bed as clean as possible without the aid of a CC, through weekly syphoning. Is this a bad idea? The sand I will be using is CaribSea Seaflor grade reef sand. I want a shallow 1.5" bed.

Here's what I've come up with so far;

Syphon out the old sand through water changes over the course of 2-3 weeks. While I am doing this, I will have the new live sand in a holding container with a skimmer, powerhead, and heater. Once all of the old sand is out, drain the tank place sand and refill.

While the tank is empty, do you think it would be okay to give it a through cleaning, or should I just leave it be? I would like to scrape off all of the coraline and built up detritus, but not at the expense of overly stressing out the maturity of the system.


I'm sure people would like to know why... the sand is 4 years old and has been with me from the start, through my learning curve and now it has accumalated a lot of funk that doesn't belong in an sps tank. My other option was going BB, as I would like to turn up the flow... but I just hate the idea of not having sand. Thanks in advance!

 

[t4zalews]

when i moved..i completely replaced my whole sandbed...no issues

 

[flyyyguy]

. My other option was going BB, as I would like to turn up the flow...

^^^^ This. Turn up the flow and turn up the true system nutrient control

plumb another tank temporarily into your sump to house your corals so you can quickly suck that annoying, needless crap out and dont look back

JMO of course

 

[Whisperer]

BB will not stay bare for long. Debris have to be cleaned regularly or they will accumulate and it is hard to clean under the rockwork and coralline algae will grow on the floor eventually if you do not scrape it regularly. JMO of course.

 

[RebelReef]

^^^^ This. Turn up the flow and turn up the true system nutrient control

plumb another tank temporarily into your sump to house your corals so you can quickly suck that annoying, needless crap out and dont look back

JMO of course

Thanks flyyyguy. The pros of going BB definately outway the cons in my situation. Commiting to it and not looking back is where I'm having trouble... I LOVE the look of a nice clean sandbed... but man I can control my nutrient SOOO much better going BB. I'm thinking about it.

BB will not stay bare for long. Debris have to be cleaned regularly or they will accumulate and it is hard to clean under the rockwork and coralline algae will grow on the floor eventually if you do not scrape it regularly. JMO of course.

You are completely right. But all of the detritus could atleast syphoned out when it accumalates as opposed to a sandbed where it is hidden. What is your opionion on maintaining a sand bed clean? Thanks.

 

[RebelReef]

double post sorry

 

[buy_baff]

The best way to get the old sand out is a wet dry shop vac. I have one that is detacated to tank chores.

 

[dancewithethan]

This Youtube link show Shop Vac in action on an aquarium make over tank.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhYDp8v4K-E&feature=related

Best

 

[RebelReef]

Thanks for all of the responses guys. Can anyone answer my questions about replacing the sand without a cycle? Can I just add the new live sand, or should I leave it soaking in fresh saltwater to rid it of impurities?

What about taking the sand out all at once? Should I do it over the course of a few weeks?

Also, what about cleaning the tank while it's empty? Thanks.

 

[RebelReef]

Anyone else have any input?

 

[allsps40]

I went BB a while back. When I removed the sand I first emptied the tank, moved all rock and corals into holding containers, saved 95% of my old water, removed sand filled tank back up with old water, put rock and corals back in and fill up the rest of the way with new water. Keep in mind that this took all day, tank is a 40 gallon. I did not stay BB for more than a year, went to a shallow crushed coral bed much easier to keep clean and does not get blown around by pumps. You will be fine cleaning up that tank while you are at it. Just dont mess with your sump or fuge if you have one, this along with the LR should keep you having a cycle. I had no cycle when I did mine. I also just replaced all the sand in my fuge last friday and I did not have a cycle or even a no3 or po4 spike.

 

[MrKite24]

What is your opionion on maintaining a sand bed clean? Thanks.

You need a lot of sand sifters. I use nassarius snails and hermits to keep my sand super clean. I also have a couple of maroon clowns that do a good job of moving the sand around so nothing will settle on the sand and cause algae or detritus. Sand sifting cucumbers, starfish and gobies also work really well.

If you're going to add new live sand, do not soak it in fresh water first. Just add it back to the tank. Soaking in water will kill any bacteria and cause you more problems.

How deep is your current sand bed and how deep will the new one be?