How to remove a deep sand bed without killing everything

SuperNerd · 03/13/2008, 11:33 PM

Should this be done in steps or can it be totally removed in one sitting, without killing corals, fish, etc?

demonsp · 03/13/2008, 11:42 PM

Why would you want to.The SB is a great part of your bio filtration unless its neglected then it causes water quality problems. If you want to remove then slowly is best but not the cure.

imholte · 03/13/2008, 11:51 PM

Use small tubing to vaccum it out a little at a time.

SuperNerd · 03/13/2008, 11:56 PM

Sorry, after thinking about it I think I will leave a couple of inches or a little bit more.

I want to reduce it from the 6 inch I have right now. I have sugar sized grain and it keeps blowing everywhere, causing rock to sink. Plus it takes up so much darn space.

demonsp · 03/14/2008, 12:15 AM

6 inches a little much.Plus you should place LR on the glass bottom and the sand around it to prevent land slides .

kevin2000 · 03/14/2008, 09:22 AM

My 02

I would remove the live rock and most of the water and place in a Rubbermaid trash barrel. Place the livestock in a suitable container.

Take the top inch or so of the substrate (that's the portion of the substrate with the aerobic bacteria) and place in a separate container. Toss the rest of the substrate as well as any water left in the tank.

Replace the saved substrate ... put in the water and live rock .. when temp is correct replace the livestock.

Hope this helps.

03/13/2008, 11:33 PM	#1
SuperNerd Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal/Left Side- USA Posts: 4,572	How to remove a deep sand bed without killing everything Should this be done in steps or can it be totally removed in one sitting, without killing corals, fish, etc? __________________ I said fraggit! Current Tank Info: M-728 Combat Engineer (based on M60 hull). M-3 Lee Medium (British version with squatter).

03/13/2008, 11:51 PM	#3
imholte Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 233	Use small tubing to vaccum it out a little at a time. __________________ Saltwater Rocks Current Tank Info: 40br 250W MH 30lbs LR

03/13/2008, 11:56 PM	#4
SuperNerd Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal/Left Side- USA Posts: 4,572	Sorry, after thinking about it I think I will leave a couple of inches or a little bit more. I want to reduce it from the 6 inch I have right now. I have sugar sized grain and it keeps blowing everywhere, causing rock to sink. Plus it takes up so much darn space. __________________ I said fraggit! Current Tank Info: M-728 Combat Engineer (based on M60 hull). M-3 Lee Medium (British version with squatter).

03/13/2008, 11:42 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Why would you want to.The SB is a great part of your bio filtration unless its neglected then it causes water quality problems. If you want to remove then slowly is best but not the cure.

03/14/2008, 12:15 AM	#5
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	6 inches a little much.Plus you should place LR on the glass bottom and the sand around it to prevent land slides .

03/14/2008, 09:22 AM	#6
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	My 02 I would remove the live rock and most of the water and place in a Rubbermaid trash barrel. Place the livestock in a suitable container. Take the top inch or so of the substrate (that's the portion of the substrate with the aerobic bacteria) and place in a separate container. Toss the rest of the substrate as well as any water left in the tank. Replace the saved substrate ... put in the water and live rock .. when temp is correct replace the livestock. Hope this helps.