Moving a Sand Bed?

Scubadoo · 11/15/2007, 03:18 PM

Hey everyone, I've been lurking for a bit but this is my first post here - really glad to have this as a resouce.
Anyways, I'm upgrading to a larger tank and I'm wondering how I should move all the sand from my old one to the new one.
The new one is currently set up with fresh water. I'm planning to drain half of it then mix salt with the remaining half and drain my existing tank into it since it's on a lower floor and that should be possible. I'll keep all my fish and rock in a bin during the move, but is this the best way to do the move or is there a better way?

thanks

Hypo · 11/15/2007, 03:21 PM

your bed. dont have weels at the botom?

Scubadoo · 11/15/2007, 03:27 PM

lol - if only:P

Hypo · 11/15/2007, 03:36 PM

fwiw u wil start my new salt water tank with good ro water drain. everthing, in the fresh water. and mix new salt water with good ro water and than use water from old salt water tank as much as possible as. for moving te sand u have to use. elbow, greese.

chrissreef · 11/15/2007, 03:47 PM

how deep is the sand bed? if deeper than 3 inches I would replace 90% of it to avoid the release of gases which will kill your animals.

Scubadoo · 11/15/2007, 10:26 PM

oh, the water currently in the tank is good RO water, I just didn't add salt since it would be a waste - since it's fresh I can use the half I'm going to drain to top off or change water in my other fish tanks. and I'll use as much of the water from the old tank as I can (going from a 55 gallon to a 90 with 20 gallon sump).
the sand bed in the 55 is only about 1-2 inches deep and there is about 1/2 inch of regular sand in the new tank, so I'm hoping the live sand I'll put on top can seed it.
My only concerns were toxins or nitrates escaping from the sand when I move it to the new tank - will that be a problem or should I be ok?
thanks

11/15/2007, 03:18 PM	#1
Scubadoo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 23	Moving a Sand Bed? Hey everyone, I've been lurking for a bit but this is my first post here - really glad to have this as a resouce. Anyways, I'm upgrading to a larger tank and I'm wondering how I should move all the sand from my old one to the new one. The new one is currently set up with fresh water. I'm planning to drain half of it then mix salt with the remaining half and drain my existing tank into it since it's on a lower floor and that should be possible. I'll keep all my fish and rock in a bin during the move, but is this the best way to do the move or is there a better way? thanks

11/15/2007, 03:21 PM	#2
Hypo Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 77	Re: Moving a Sand Bed? your bed. dont have weels at the botom?

11/15/2007, 03:47 PM	#5
chrissreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,252	how deep is the sand bed? if deeper than 3 inches I would replace 90% of it to avoid the release of gases which will kill your animals. __________________ One's standard of living is determined by the size of their reef Learn and you continue to adapt, stop learning and you become obsolete We live with each other, not for ourselves, protect our planet Current Tank Info: 300g Starfire/Starboard A.G.E. mixed reef

11/15/2007, 03:27 PM	#3
Scubadoo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 23	lol - if only:P

11/15/2007, 03:36 PM	#4
Hypo Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 77	fwiw u wil start my new salt water tank with good ro water drain. everthing, in the fresh water. and mix new salt water with good ro water and than use water from old salt water tank as much as possible as. for moving te sand u have to use. elbow, greese.

11/15/2007, 10:26 PM	#6
Scubadoo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 23	oh, the water currently in the tank is good RO water, I just didn't add salt since it would be a waste - since it's fresh I can use the half I'm going to drain to top off or change water in my other fish tanks. and I'll use as much of the water from the old tank as I can (going from a 55 gallon to a 90 with 20 gallon sump). the sand bed in the 55 is only about 1-2 inches deep and there is about 1/2 inch of regular sand in the new tank, so I'm hoping the live sand I'll put on top can seed it. My only concerns were toxins or nitrates escaping from the sand when I move it to the new tank - will that be a problem or should I be ok? thanks