Sandbed Removal

va_blue_stang · 03/07/2009, 10:15 AM

Is it safe to get rid of the sandbed of a tank that has been established for 5 years with at least 100 pounds of live rock. I'm moveing the tank today and would like to get rid of the sand bed all together. Thanks for all the help on here.

LTCrunch · 03/07/2009, 10:19 AM

there is going to be a plethera of good bacteria and bad gases that are trapped in the sandbed. Removing it will cause the gases to escape out and can cause fish death. I would not recommend it

kraze3 · 03/07/2009, 10:38 AM

I think removing it is better than stirring it up in the move and trying to use it again. I would save a little bit to help seed a new sand bed. When you remove the rocks try not to disturb the sandbed. Then siphon as much water out as you can. Watever water is left toss it with the sand.

va_blue_stang · 03/07/2009, 10:44 AM

i'd like to go to a bare bottom tank. i'm saveing the water and rocks just want to get rid of the sand after it is drained

joeychitwood · 03/07/2009, 10:48 AM

It should be safe to remove the sandbed during a move. Keep a close eye on your tank's parameters for the first couple of weeks. If you haven't torn a tank down before, you'll probably be surprised at the incredible amount of crap in the sandbed.

va_blue_stang · 03/07/2009, 10:58 AM

thats why i want to try the bare bottom tank before i buy and setup the 120g reef we are getting ready to start on. the sand looks horrible after 5 years.

joeychitwood · 03/07/2009, 11:10 AM

After removing a deep sand bed and being shocked by the filth, I decided to use a shallow one-inch sand bed in my 54 corner for purely aesthetic purposes. The sand is easy to vacuum clean with a siphon, and it doesn't develop dead spots. Sand sifters have something to play in, and I've been very happy with the look and cleanliness of the shallow bed.

Whisperer · 03/07/2009, 12:02 PM

I will start be removing all the rocks carefully. You may want to shake each one gently under water to remove as much debris as you can. Let the dust settle and drain the water as much as you can without disturbing the sandbed.
To remove sandbed, scoop out as much as you can but be careful not to scratch the glass beneath. (Brace yourself. If you do not have a strong stomach, keep a plastic bag handy just in case you need to puke.). Fill the tank halfway with tap water and start siphoning the rest of the sand. Start the siphon using a powerhead to start the flow. If your hose got plugged with sand, use a powerhead to push it. You may want to keep the tap water running until you get all the sand out. Good Luck.
I also tried shallow sand bed. before I went BB. It still trapped plenty a filth underneath.

zooxanth · 03/07/2009, 12:19 PM

I would use a syphon to remove the sand, it will lessen the disturbance by removing with the water

va_blue_stang · 03/07/2009, 01:02 PM

Sand bed is all gone now for the moving and resetting up. I'll post pictures when done.

03/07/2009, 10:15 AM	#1
va_blue_stang Learning Everyday Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cedar Bluff, Va Posts: 388	Sandbed Removal Is it safe to get rid of the sandbed of a tank that has been established for 5 years with at least 100 pounds of live rock. I'm moveing the tank today and would like to get rid of the sand bed all together. Thanks for all the help on here.

03/07/2009, 10:19 AM	#2
LTCrunch Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 216	there is going to be a plethera of good bacteria and bad gases that are trapped in the sandbed. Removing it will cause the gases to escape out and can cause fish death. I would not recommend it __________________ .... yes, that will most likely catch on fire! Current Tank Info: 55 frag

03/07/2009, 12:02 PM	#8
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I will start be removing all the rocks carefully. You may want to shake each one gently under water to remove as much debris as you can. Let the dust settle and drain the water as much as you can without disturbing the sandbed. To remove sandbed, scoop out as much as you can but be careful not to scratch the glass beneath. (Brace yourself. If you do not have a strong stomach, keep a plastic bag handy just in case you need to puke.). Fill the tank halfway with tap water and start siphoning the rest of the sand. Start the siphon using a powerhead to start the flow. If your hose got plugged with sand, use a powerhead to push it. You may want to keep the tap water running until you get all the sand out. Good Luck. I also tried shallow sand bed. before I went BB. It still trapped plenty a filth underneath. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

03/07/2009, 12:19 PM	#9
zooxanth Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scotland, United Kingdom Posts: 149	I would use a syphon to remove the sand, it will lessen the disturbance by removing with the water __________________ The Solotion To Pullution Is Dillution Current Tank Info: 450ltr bowfront, 6 54w t5's, sumpless, Deltec mce 600, aquatronica with dosing pumps for balling lite

03/07/2009, 10:38 AM	#3
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	I think removing it is better than stirring it up in the move and trying to use it again. I would save a little bit to help seed a new sand bed. When you remove the rocks try not to disturb the sandbed. Then siphon as much water out as you can. Watever water is left toss it with the sand.

03/07/2009, 10:44 AM	#4
va_blue_stang Learning Everyday Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cedar Bluff, Va Posts: 388	i'd like to go to a bare bottom tank. i'm saveing the water and rocks just want to get rid of the sand after it is drained

03/07/2009, 10:48 AM	#5
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	It should be safe to remove the sandbed during a move. Keep a close eye on your tank's parameters for the first couple of weeks. If you haven't torn a tank down before, you'll probably be surprised at the incredible amount of crap in the sandbed.

03/07/2009, 10:58 AM	#6
va_blue_stang Learning Everyday Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cedar Bluff, Va Posts: 388	thats why i want to try the bare bottom tank before i buy and setup the 120g reef we are getting ready to start on. the sand looks horrible after 5 years.

03/07/2009, 11:10 AM	#7
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	After removing a deep sand bed and being shocked by the filth, I decided to use a shallow one-inch sand bed in my 54 corner for purely aesthetic purposes. The sand is easy to vacuum clean with a siphon, and it doesn't develop dead spots. Sand sifters have something to play in, and I've been very happy with the look and cleanliness of the shallow bed.

03/07/2009, 01:02 PM	#10
va_blue_stang Learning Everyday Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cedar Bluff, Va Posts: 388	Sand bed is all gone now for the moving and resetting up. I'll post pictures when done.