moving sand bed

docjones · 12/14/2007, 02:28 PM

I am planning to upgrade from a 55 to a 125. I have the new 125 and it is plumbed and is now ready to go. The problem I am facing is the new tank needs to go where the current tank is. So these are my issues, please let me know if anyone sees anything wrong.

Should I use all my sand from the 55g? I have a 2 inch sand bed and alot of snails that burrow in it. I also plan to add about 60lbs of new "live" sand as well.

I plan to put all rock (have 110lbs in the tank now)in a bucket with the 55g water until the 125 is in place.

I plan to put the rest of my 55g water in another bucket and place my fish and coral in it.

I will already have made about 100g of new RO/DI salt water in new trash cans.

Once the 125 is in place I will add the new sand with the old sand on top. Put the rock back into the tank, and circulation pumps. Finally after a little bit of settlement (about a hour) I will introduce the fish and coral to the new tank. So how does this sound, ok?

usmc121581 · 12/14/2007, 02:37 PM

THyat is how I did mine. I had no choice but to do it that way. I didnt run inot any problems, but I am not saying you might.

docjones · 12/14/2007, 02:41 PM

I was thinking, also I will keep some water in the 55, stir the @#$% out of the sand, drain the bad water and take the sand out. Think that would improve my odds of success?

cwilson · 12/14/2007, 04:00 PM

even though your buying live sand, i would mix the old and new sand, just so your bateria and all the other gooies found in live sand can spread out and quickly turn all your sand into high quality live sand. becasue although it is still a fine product that i think everyone should use, live sand on a shelf is never quite the same as live sand from a tank. also, if the colors arent exactly the same, mixing the sand will avoid giving you a racing-striped, two-toned sand bed

also, some people suggest that you pu in your rock first and then put your sand around you rock. otherwise, there is a possibility that the sand can shift (which will probably happen with your snails) and this will in turn cause a rock to shift which could maek your rocks tumble and even (god forbid) have a rock bang against your side wall and bust rock tank. i personally have never done this for two reasons. first off, i have never used much sand. i only use sand for looks, so i have never had a DSB, which meant i could slide the rocks through the sand and have them touch the glass. also, i dont use a ton of rock. i dont really stakc up my rocks against the back wall up to the top, so i could never really have my rocks 'tumble' they would just shift around a little. at worst

but those ar ereally only suggestions, and thats based on me not knowing your desired layout. other than those two "maybe you could do ___" things, i think your fine.

nice upgrade too! the 55 and 125 are both great tanks

davocean · 12/14/2007, 04:57 PM

Actually, if your sand is over a year old I'd take this time to ditch it.
I'd remove LR, water, livestock and put in tubs w/ heater and circulation.
Scoop old sand and chuck it, except maybe like top 1/2".
Move new tank, place new sand, add the 1/2" of old sand on top.
Lay a trash bag on top, and pour water, preventing sandstorm.
Add/arrange LR, then livestock.

m2434 · 12/14/2007, 05:01 PM

I second ditching it. Save a few handfuls and savage through it to find the snails. Nutrients and heavy metals accumulate in the sand, I'd just get rid of them. A few handfuls and the new sand will be just as live within weeks... and cleaner!

Siberman · 12/14/2007, 05:11 PM

This past summer I moved a tank with a 4 (?) year old sandbed (4-5" deep) to another room. I removed a large rock that was resting on the bottom of the tank out of the sandbed. I then proceeded to replace all the rockwork and fill the tank.

Every zooanthid, poly, mushroom, starfish, crab, etc. literally melted.

Keep a cupfull to add to your new sand but I'd chunk the rest.

docjones · 12/14/2007, 06:12 PM

Well the sand is only months old not even a year, so should I still ditch it? As for the rock I am making pillars that sit on paving stones so the paving stone and rod will already be in the tank (forgot to mention it). I just dont want to lose any fish due to a cycle or something like that. So keep the sand or ditch it? Thanks for the advice.

davocean · 12/14/2007, 06:26 PM

If it's not that old, I'd still take top 1/2" and keep in SW, maybe rinse the rest in clean SW.
Do same as I said above, except base w/ acrylic will go down first.
I usually like 1" of sand and vac or go all deep, 5-6
2-3" gets no denit, yet it gets the build up of crap.

12/14/2007, 02:28 PM	#1
docjones Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 133	moving sand bed I am planning to upgrade from a 55 to a 125. I have the new 125 and it is plumbed and is now ready to go. The problem I am facing is the new tank needs to go where the current tank is. So these are my issues, please let me know if anyone sees anything wrong. Should I use all my sand from the 55g? I have a 2 inch sand bed and alot of snails that burrow in it. I also plan to add about 60lbs of new "live" sand as well. I plan to put all rock (have 110lbs in the tank now)in a bucket with the 55g water until the 125 is in place. I plan to put the rest of my 55g water in another bucket and place my fish and coral in it. I will already have made about 100g of new RO/DI salt water in new trash cans. Once the 125 is in place I will add the new sand with the old sand on top. Put the rock back into the tank, and circulation pumps. Finally after a little bit of settlement (about a hour) I will introduce the fish and coral to the new tank. So how does this sound, ok? __________________ Periodic table, with a center peace of mind! - Clutch Red house= pictures Current Tank Info: 125g reef

12/14/2007, 02:37 PM	#2
usmc121581 Where am I? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Abingdon, maryland Posts: 1,671 Blog Entries: 1	THyat is how I did mine. I had no choice but to do it that way. I didnt run inot any problems, but I am not saying you might. __________________ I prefer not to think before I speak, I like to be just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth. Current Tank Info: I have a 180 gal mostly LPS corals, it contains 1 Val. Tang, 1 yellow striped clown fish, 3 percula clownfish, a blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp and a sand shifting goby, 5 pajama cardinals, 1 green chromis. Also a 75 gal. sump/fug.

12/14/2007, 02:41 PM	#3
docjones Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 133	I was thinking, also I will keep some water in the 55, stir the @#$% out of the sand, drain the bad water and take the sand out. Think that would improve my odds of success? __________________ Periodic table, with a center peace of mind! - Clutch Red house= pictures Current Tank Info: 125g reef

12/14/2007, 04:57 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Actually, if your sand is over a year old I'd take this time to ditch it. I'd remove LR, water, livestock and put in tubs w/ heater and circulation. Scoop old sand and chuck it, except maybe like top 1/2". Move new tank, place new sand, add the 1/2" of old sand on top. Lay a trash bag on top, and pour water, preventing sandstorm. Add/arrange LR, then livestock. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/14/2007, 05:01 PM	#6
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	I second ditching it. Save a few handfuls and savage through it to find the snails. Nutrients and heavy metals accumulate in the sand, I'd just get rid of them. A few handfuls and the new sand will be just as live within weeks... and cleaner! __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

12/14/2007, 04:00 PM	#4
cwilson Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 523	even though your buying live sand, i would mix the old and new sand, just so your bateria and all the other gooies found in live sand can spread out and quickly turn all your sand into high quality live sand. becasue although it is still a fine product that i think everyone should use, live sand on a shelf is never quite the same as live sand from a tank. also, if the colors arent exactly the same, mixing the sand will avoid giving you a racing-striped, two-toned sand bed also, some people suggest that you pu in your rock first and then put your sand around you rock. otherwise, there is a possibility that the sand can shift (which will probably happen with your snails) and this will in turn cause a rock to shift which could maek your rocks tumble and even (god forbid) have a rock bang against your side wall and bust rock tank. i personally have never done this for two reasons. first off, i have never used much sand. i only use sand for looks, so i have never had a DSB, which meant i could slide the rocks through the sand and have them touch the glass. also, i dont use a ton of rock. i dont really stakc up my rocks against the back wall up to the top, so i could never really have my rocks 'tumble' they would just shift around a little. at worst but those ar ereally only suggestions, and thats based on me not knowing your desired layout. other than those two "maybe you could do ___" things, i think your fine. nice upgrade too! the 55 and 125 are both great tanks

12/14/2007, 05:11 PM	#7
Siberman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Northeast Texas Posts: 38	This past summer I moved a tank with a 4 (?) year old sandbed (4-5" deep) to another room. I removed a large rock that was resting on the bottom of the tank out of the sandbed. I then proceeded to replace all the rockwork and fill the tank. Every zooanthid, poly, mushroom, starfish, crab, etc. literally melted. Keep a cupfull to add to your new sand but I'd chunk the rest.

12/14/2007, 06:12 PM	#8
docjones Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 133	Well the sand is only months old not even a year, so should I still ditch it? As for the rock I am making pillars that sit on paving stones so the paving stone and rod will already be in the tank (forgot to mention it). I just dont want to lose any fish due to a cycle or something like that. So keep the sand or ditch it? Thanks for the advice. __________________ Periodic table, with a center peace of mind! - Clutch Red house= pictures Current Tank Info: 125g reef

12/14/2007, 06:26 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	If it's not that old, I'd still take top 1/2" and keep in SW, maybe rinse the rest in clean SW. Do same as I said above, except base w/ acrylic will go down first. I usually like 1" of sand and vac or go all deep, 5-6 2-3" gets no denit, yet it gets the build up of crap. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD