Removing sand HELP!!!

[ltindle]

My sand bed is too deep for my 90 gal it's about 3 1/2 - 4" I need to get some out. First how deep should it be (an inch???) I was thinking of vacuuming it out into a container and then putting the water that came out with it back in. If someone has an easier way, please let me know. All thats in the tank right now is LR, 2 chromis and 2 clowns

[jdieck]

For a functioning denitrifying sand bed 31/2 to 4" is about the minimum, if you look for aesthetics but no de-nitrification 1/2 to 1" shallow sand bed is possible.
If your bed has been in place a long time it might have accumulated detritus and hydrogen sulfide that when disturbed can cause a system crash.
The best way IMO to remove sand is a little at a time from an specific area by syphoning when doing water changes. DO NOT return the syphoned water back to the tank.
Again doit slow and do not disturb all the bed at once, do small areas at a time without disturbing the rest. Over the span of several weeks you would have safely removed enough sand to achieve your purpose.

[masonicman]

An inch to 2 1/2 inches is fine. I had the same issue and I asked the same question a while back. I was told to siphon the sand out when I do water changes. I do weekly 10 gal water changes, so it took me about 2 to 3 months to get my 5 inches down to about 2 inches. When I siphoned sand out from the front, some how the sand from the rear or middle made it way up to the front. I siphoned from the front and sides only.

[ltindle]

the tank has only been running for a couple of weeks so I doubt too much has built up in there if I can leave the sandbed I will. I was just told that it was too deep (is that wrong info?)

[jdieck]

Originally posted by ltindle
the tank has only been running for a couple of weeks so I doubt too much has built up in there if I can leave the sandbed I will. I was just told that it was too deep (is that wrong info?)

For a de-nitrifying sand bed the minimum depth is about 3" to 6" so your depth is about right for de-nitrification purposes. The capacity of the bed to remove nitrates will decrease sharply with reduction in depth.
If you decide to remove sand and the tank is only a couple of weeks old you are OK to remove as much as you want now.

[chimmike]

If you have a sump, that's a great place for a deep sand bed. You could run maybe 2" for display purposes in the main tank, then run 5+" of sand in the sump for the denitrifying purposes.
And run Nassarius snails too, they'll keep bad gases and detritus from building up in the sand bed.

[chimmike]

Originally posted by ltindle
the tank has only been running for a couple of weeks so I doubt too much has built up in there if I can leave the sandbed I will. I was just told that it was too deep (is that wrong info?)

the tank has only been up for a couple of weeks and you've got fish in there?

What are your test numbers?

I'd suggest maybe letting a friend with an established tank hold onto the fish for you for a little while until your tank stabilizes.

[ltindle]

actually I got really bad advice all around from a few people. I have a fluval fx5 cannister which I never should have bought. The local fish guy wants 700 dollars to build me a refugium with skimmer. The skimmer I have is terrible from what I am told and now the lights that I have I am told are not enough. I thought I had done enough research to at least get water in a tank. Now I see that I havent. I'm exhausted and broke, but still hopeful

[ltindle]

Also Nitrates and trites are still present but very low I prob need to give the fish away and drain the tank and start over but there goes another 1000 dolars and I've already spent 1100 in the past three weeks not including the aquarium

[chimmike]

it's expensive. You'll never have enough money for all those things you'll end up needing. Don't give up hope!

[stingythingy45]

My advice to you would be to do a search of local Reefer Clubs in Ohio.
You're going to need help,advice and maybe even a hand getting things corrected.Also you will find used equipment and reviews of local fish stores.This site is great for advice,but there's nothing like Mainstreet when it comes to emergencies.
Your biggest concern right now shouldn't be the sand bed.
You need to monitor for ammonia.

[stingythingy45]

Originally posted by ltindle
Also Nitrates and trites are still present but very low I prob need to give the fish away and drain the tank and start over but there goes another 1000 dolars and I've already spent 1100 in the past three weeks not including the aquarium

Returning the fish would be a good idea.
I'm not sure why you would need to spend another $1000.
If you have live rock,really the only thing you need now is time.
Then later maybe a nice used 20 long tank or something to use for a sump and then add a skimmer.You don't have to break the bank to get this stuff.Look for good used stuff from local fish clubs.
Folks are always upgrading and offering up good deals.

[ltindle]

Thanks for the info I am gonna drain the tank and the local reef specialist is gonna babysit my fish for me

[EllieSuz]

You DO NOT need to drain the tank. Why waste all that perfectly good saltwater? By all means, get somebody to babysit your fish while you cycle your system, but you do not need to start over. Try to find articles on Deep Sand Beds (DSB) and read about the pros and cons of that practice. If you decide to keep your sand bed, fine; if not, remove all but 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Before you let yourself be overcome by questionable advice, read the top two links on this "New to the Hobby" forum. Armed with some knowledge and all your enthusiasm, you'll have a grand success!

[stingythingy45]

^^^

+1 on this advice.

There's really no need to drain the tank.By all means return the fish or give them to someone who can care for them for now.
The only thing I can see that you've done wrong so far is add fish.
Some hobbyest even use Damsel fish to start a cycle(i don't care for this method).I would just get an API saltwater test kit and monitor the nitrate cycle.
Ammonia>nitrite>nitrate.......(water change)...add CUC.

[ltindle]

well the reason i am gonna drain is i'm gonna sell the fluval fx5 and someone is building me a refugium. Also I used tap water and treated it and then added salt I didnt realize the benefits of starting with ro water at the time

[stingythingy45]

Originally posted by ltindle
well the reason i am gonna drain is i'm gonna sell the fluval fx5 and someone is building me a refugium. Also I used tap water and treated it and then added salt I didnt realize the benefits of starting with ro water at the time

Good call then.
You definitely don't want tap water.
You be on here in another month asking how to get rid of the massive hair algae outbreak.Not to mention all the other crap that could be in that tap water.

[stingythingy45]

The only other thing I would recommend is to get this 90 gallon drilled if it's not (reef ready).It's not that expensive and will save you a bunch of trouble in the long run.

[ltindle]

can it be drilled??? I dont know if its tempered or how to tell

[stingythingy45]

Originally posted by ltindle
can it be drilled??? I dont know if its tempered or how to tell

Generaly only the bottom is tempered.
If you call around some local fish stores might know somebody that will drill it,or they might do it themselves.Also,check with local reefer clubs.You might have someone close by that can drill a few holes through it for you.There's also the DYI thing.
There's a website called glass holes that has all the stuff needed.

http://www.glass-holes.com/main.sc

You see,sometimes the setting up part can be just as much fun as having the tank done.

[ektor]

ltindle

Start here;

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031074

+1 on fresh R/O water and keep the sand as is in my view.