thedoctor06
New member
I picked up a 75g AGA RR tank, and I'll be swapping my reef to it. Can I re-use the sand from my existing 75g? It's been largely (with a few exceptions) undisturbed for about 3 months.
Tank switch
- Thread starter thedoctor06
- Start date
atvdave
Premium Member
I switched from a 92 to a 125 about 3 years ago. I used almost all (90%) of my old sand along with more new sand when I switched.
I have never seen any ill effects on using my old sand. My old sand was about 2.5 years old.
However if you do a search here on RC most people say don't do it. I'm not sure why
How I did it. It took me about 1 week. I kept my LR & fish in a trash can with a heater & 2 power heads. I kept my sand in a different trash can for about 3 days till I could fill my new tank with RO/DI water and used a small part of my old water. And last I kept my corals in a small QT tank till everything was set up and running.
I have never seen any ill effects on using my old sand. My old sand was about 2.5 years old.
However if you do a search here on RC most people say don't do it. I'm not sure why
How I did it. It took me about 1 week. I kept my LR & fish in a trash can with a heater & 2 power heads. I kept my sand in a different trash can for about 3 days till I could fill my new tank with RO/DI water and used a small part of my old water. And last I kept my corals in a small QT tank till everything was set up and running.
dynamixone
New member
about to upgrade from 55g to 120g
about to upgrade from 55g to 120g
shoudl i use the sand. I cant seem to find a straight answer. I really hate to disturb my reef as it its runnign well. I am moving and since i have to tank the thing apart. I might as well upgrade.
any suggestions
about to upgrade from 55g to 120g
shoudl i use the sand. I cant seem to find a straight answer. I really hate to disturb my reef as it its runnign well. I am moving and since i have to tank the thing apart. I might as well upgrade.
any suggestions
-=Efrain=-
Active member
You will go threw a cycle but I used sand out of a 220 for my 125. I used a PVC pipe to pour the sand down and into the bottom of my tank. I took my time. I did a water change the next day and kept an eye on Nitrates and Ammonia. But my tank is kicking butt to this day.. You can also rinse the sand out with RO which will put less detritus into your new tank.
dynamixone
New member
ok sounds good! I just hate tearing down a reef. so much more living then when you tear down a FW tank! but larger tank will be worth it.
thedoctor06
New member
I was thinking about stirring a small portion of it every couple of days so it can catch up. Once all the sand has been stirred, I'd move it...any thoughts on that?
drparker
Premium Member
I wouldn't! I pulled all the rocks out of my 24g Nano cube after a year, needed to catch a fish. That disturbed the sand bed enough that I had a mini crash. Lost all my coral except the mushrooms and green stars starting to come back after a month of water changes every three days.
thedoctor06
New member
I figured I could get away with it because I have about 95g of total system volume to help with dilution
brians4671
New member
ijust swapped out tanks and used all my old sand. i went from 30 to 65 gallon i didnt add any new sand. the exchange went better than i could hope for. im on my fifth day. i need to add more sand via pvc. ive never added sand to a occupied system. but i am currently cycling sand in another tank to eventually add.
