sand bed...

120clown · 06/15/2008, 08:07 PM

ok i have an established 55 gal tank that has been set up about four months... i would like to go to a sand bottom can i do this without the sand causing the tank to go threw a new cycle?

Aquarist007 · 06/15/2008, 08:12 PM

If you have established cycled and cured rock it will make no difference.
To avoid the snow storm suggest you get a long enough piece of 2 inch pvc pipe that will reach the bottom of the tank. On the opposite end attach a funnel. Feed your sand through the pipe and keep the pipe as close to the bottom of the tank as you can

All you need is a cup of sand from another active sand bed to seed the new sand bed

120clown · 06/15/2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
If you have established cycled and cured rock it will make no difference.
To avoid the snow storm suggest you get a long enough piece of 2 inch pvc pipe that will reach the bottom of the tank. On the opposite end attach a funnel. Feed your sand through the pipe and keep the pipe as close to the bottom of the tank as you can

All you need is a cup of sand from another active sand bed to seed the new sand bed

thank you!! i just didnt want to start a new nasty cycle in my tank its doing great rite now!

Aquarist007 · 06/16/2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 120clown
thank you!! i just didnt want to start a new nasty cycle in my tank its doing great rite now!

that does depend on having a good amount of cycled live rock in your tank

FranktheTankTx · 06/16/2008, 06:54 AM

What is your thinking behind creating a new cycle???

Sand isn't a bio load. A cycle happens when something is introduced to the tank that cannot be broken down by the current established bacteria.

No, you will not create a new cycle. Even if you have something like crushed coral in your bottom. You LR probably has plenty of bacteria to handle your bio load.

Aquarist007 · 06/16/2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FranktheTankTx
What is your thinking behind creating a new cycle???

Sand isn't a bio load. A cycle happens when something is introduced to the tank that cannot be broken down by the current established bacteria.

No, you will not create a new cycle. Even if you have something like crushed coral in your bottom. You LR probably has plenty of bacteria to handle your bio load.

I agree with you--probably not

Frank,IMO you can't empathically say no to it---if he disturbs some of the live rock ect ect, although very very remotely there could be a small spike.
I would rather be on the cautious side here not knowing all the specifics of the posters tank, existing bioload, water chemistry ect ect. and at least have them performing good reef keeping by keeping a check on the ammonia levels whenever they make a change to their tank.

Michael · 06/16/2008, 08:36 AM

just did mine and no problems, try pm ing toddrex for pics etc he helped me and showed me how he did it etc and all went well, he had pictures of the actual transfer and how long it took and how he put it in etc, it was really useful, however as above posts mentioned it should not re-cycle mine did not

06/15/2008, 08:07 PM	#1
120clown Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 89	sand bed... ok i have an established 55 gal tank that has been set up about four months... i would like to go to a sand bottom can i do this without the sand causing the tank to go threw a new cycle? __________________ fishy fishy fishy

06/15/2008, 08:12 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	If you have established cycled and cured rock it will make no difference. To avoid the snow storm suggest you get a long enough piece of 2 inch pvc pipe that will reach the bottom of the tank. On the opposite end attach a funnel. Feed your sand through the pipe and keep the pipe as close to the bottom of the tank as you can All you need is a cup of sand from another active sand bed to seed the new sand bed __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

06/16/2008, 06:54 AM	#5
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	What is your thinking behind creating a new cycle??? Sand isn't a bio load. A cycle happens when something is introduced to the tank that cannot be broken down by the current established bacteria. No, you will not create a new cycle. Even if you have something like crushed coral in your bottom. You LR probably has plenty of bacteria to handle your bio load. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

06/16/2008, 08:36 AM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	just did mine and no problems, try pm ing toddrex for pics etc he helped me and showed me how he did it etc and all went well, he had pictures of the actual transfer and how long it took and how he put it in etc, it was really useful, however as above posts mentioned it should not re-cycle mine did not __________________ 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)