wiping out sand bed mess up tank?

godlyme · 05/07/2007, 12:15 AM

if i were to siphon out my sand bed...im wondering what negative effects this would have for the short term and long term. also if i was to do this should i do it all at once..or small amounts daily?

TekCat · 05/07/2007, 12:32 AM

The only bad thing I see in the process is potential release of trapped junk in sand bed, and possible hydrogen sulfate.

To be on the safe side, I'd remove corals, inverts, and any other sensitive organizms out to a holding bucket, put airstone (or several) in tank (this is for possibility of H2S release), and start siphoning. Maybe a quater of sand per week to let the bio-system a chance to adjust.
jmo hth

---edit---

almost forgot, after you remove portion of sand, let the airstones to aerate tank for a few hours, than take them out, and put back your sensitive lifestock, until next week...

Rhodesholar · 05/07/2007, 08:54 AM

I removed my sand bed and had no ill effects. I saved as much waster as I could and move everyone to another tank. I then scooped out and ultimately wet vacced out what was left. Scrubbed the tank down, transfered everyone back over.

I removed my sand bed because it started out as a SSB but due to increased flow became an intermediate in spots (between 1-3 which is not good) and was giving me trouble.

One thing. If you do have a DSB and then remove it you may trouble with nitrates in the future. Even with the removal of my SB from my display I have a DSB in my sump/fuge.

godlyme · 05/07/2007, 08:35 PM

i think mine varies from 1-3 inches through out..... im guessing that is bad according to your last post... can i just siphon out some with every water change until none is left....i really dont feel like taking everything out and scrubbing etc etc....

TekCat · 05/07/2007, 11:34 PM

Rhodesholar, What kind of trouble are you talking about with 1-3" sand bed? I have 2" sand bed on my 90G and no issues so far.

05/07/2007, 12:15 AM	#1
godlyme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ny long island Posts: 618	wiping out sand bed mess up tank? if i were to siphon out my sand bed...im wondering what negative effects this would have for the short term and long term. also if i was to do this should i do it all at once..or small amounts daily? __________________ 75 gal reef tank....... also working on figuring out how to build my 500 gal in wall, and converting garage into big fish room

05/07/2007, 08:35 PM	#4
godlyme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ny long island Posts: 618	i think mine varies from 1-3 inches through out..... im guessing that is bad according to your last post... can i just siphon out some with every water change until none is left....i really dont feel like taking everything out and scrubbing etc etc.... __________________ 75 gal reef tank....... also working on figuring out how to build my 500 gal in wall, and converting garage into big fish room

05/07/2007, 12:32 AM	#2
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	The only bad thing I see in the process is potential release of trapped junk in sand bed, and possible hydrogen sulfate. To be on the safe side, I'd remove corals, inverts, and any other sensitive organizms out to a holding bucket, put airstone (or several) in tank (this is for possibility of H2S release), and start siphoning. Maybe a quater of sand per week to let the bio-system a chance to adjust. jmo hth ---edit--- almost forgot, after you remove portion of sand, let the airstones to aerate tank for a few hours, than take them out, and put back your sensitive lifestock, until next week...

05/07/2007, 08:54 AM	#3
Rhodesholar Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Crivitz Wi Posts: 754	I removed my sand bed and had no ill effects. I saved as much waster as I could and move everyone to another tank. I then scooped out and ultimately wet vacced out what was left. Scrubbed the tank down, transfered everyone back over. I removed my sand bed because it started out as a SSB but due to increased flow became an intermediate in spots (between 1-3 which is not good) and was giving me trouble. One thing. If you do have a DSB and then remove it you may trouble with nitrates in the future. Even with the removal of my SB from my display I have a DSB in my sump/fuge.

05/07/2007, 11:34 PM	#5
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	Rhodesholar, What kind of trouble are you talking about with 1-3" sand bed? I have 2" sand bed on my 90G and no issues so far.