changing sandbed

R.W. · 05/25/2008, 12:05 PM

If i wanted to remove the sand i have now and change it with sugar sized would it cause a big problem? Tank has been up since Jan 7th and the sand is 3-4" deep.

Michael · 05/25/2008, 12:56 PM

ive just done it, it was fairly straight forward, at first i was concerned because of the sand being blown all over the tank when it first went in but it settled quite quickly and the water parameters were stable throughout, its only been aweek but all seems ok , hopefully yours will be as well

Playa-1 · 05/25/2008, 01:12 PM

It shouldn't be a problem, But There is always the chance that you could release some hydrogen sulfide when you disturb a substrate. That is the ol Rotten Egg smell when an anaerobic area is disturbed. I can't give you a scientific explanation but if that were to happen then it would deplete all the Oxygen in the tank in a blink of an eye and your fish will start dropping like flies. The hydrogen sulfide would quickly be removed from the water through regular gas exchange with good circulation. But most likely your fishies would suffocate in the mean time.
Just to be on the safe side you might want put your fishies in a separate container when you do something like that.

Nano Chris · 05/25/2008, 02:43 PM

Tip to allow you to put the new sand in the tank, get a 2" pvc pipe and slowly pour it in it, it will keep the sand from being blown around and will put it where u want it.

Michael · 05/26/2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Criminal#58369
Tip to allow you to put the new sand in the tank, get a 2" pvc pipe and slowly pour it in it, it will keep the sand from being blown around and will put it where u want it.

great tip

jdieck · 05/26/2008, 01:04 AM

You can also syphon out some sand with every water change until eventually most of it is out, this will minimize the release of detritus or hydrogen slfide

jthao · 05/26/2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdieck
You can also syphon out some sand with every water change until eventually most of it is out, this will minimize the release of detritus or hydrogen slfide

good idea!!

05/25/2008, 12:05 PM	#1
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	changing sandbed If i wanted to remove the sand i have now and change it with sugar sized would it cause a big problem? Tank has been up since Jan 7th and the sand is 3-4" deep. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

05/25/2008, 12:56 PM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	ive just done it, it was fairly straight forward, at first i was concerned because of the sand being blown all over the tank when it first went in but it settled quite quickly and the water parameters were stable throughout, its only been aweek but all seems ok , hopefully yours will be as well __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/25/2008, 02:43 PM	#4
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	Tip to allow you to put the new sand in the tank, get a 2" pvc pipe and slowly pour it in it, it will keep the sand from being blown around and will put it where u want it. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

05/26/2008, 01:04 AM	#6
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	You can also syphon out some sand with every water change until eventually most of it is out, this will minimize the release of detritus or hydrogen slfide __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

05/25/2008, 01:12 PM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	It shouldn't be a problem, But There is always the chance that you could release some hydrogen sulfide when you disturb a substrate. That is the ol Rotten Egg smell when an anaerobic area is disturbed. I can't give you a scientific explanation but if that were to happen then it would deplete all the Oxygen in the tank in a blink of an eye and your fish will start dropping like flies. The hydrogen sulfide would quickly be removed from the water through regular gas exchange with good circulation. But most likely your fishies would suffocate in the mean time. Just to be on the safe side you might want put your fishies in a separate container when you do something like that.