Removing Sand - Method?

filippo · 08/31/2008, 10:02 PM

hi

how should i remove all sand from my display tank?

should i place i hose deep in the sand? will this remove a lot of water as well and mainly sand?

thanks

SeaSaltyDog · 08/31/2008, 10:29 PM

You are going to remove water no matter what you do. If you have access to a wet vac go with that. You can siphon it out but you will need a large diameter hose to avoid constant clogging. Removing a sand bed takes alot longer than you would think and is going to be a smelly mess. I would have a large amount of water prepared and remove the bed completly, top to bottom, one section at a time.

I am just assumming you are removing a DSB from your 90. Good luck, god speed, and try not to lose your mind.

flyyyguy · 08/31/2008, 10:36 PM

How old is the sandbed??

If very old at all and you keep corals i wouldnt just start sucking sand out.

Get a rubbermaid tub. start pumping water out of the tank into it and put all of your corals and fish in it.

Once you have slavaged all the water that you can get a strong shop vac and just get it done. You can keep and slavage all water up unitl the point that you disturb the sandbed. toss the rest along with the sand.

keep water and aeration (and temp) moving in your tub with the corals and fish, and temp and circulation to any other containers of water you save

Have new ASW made up in advance to make up for what you lost

Doing it that way more or less is the only way I woudl advise to remove your sandbed in a reef tank unless it is very young....like no more than a few months. and even then i would still do it that way probably

jmo

filippo · 08/31/2008, 10:46 PM

thanks guys. 90 gallon is correct. the sand is probably 5 months old. i barely have 10 corals or so...

i have already made 20 SW gallons today. tomorrow i will siphon the sand out, slowly. i will be patience enough and even if i don't do it all tomorrow, that's fine, more will be taken out next week etc.

thanks

08/31/2008, 10:02 PM	#1
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	Removing Sand - Method? hi how should i remove all sand from my display tank? should i place i hose deep in the sand? will this remove a lot of water as well and mainly sand? thanks

08/31/2008, 10:36 PM	#3
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	How old is the sandbed?? If very old at all and you keep corals i wouldnt just start sucking sand out. Get a rubbermaid tub. start pumping water out of the tank into it and put all of your corals and fish in it. Once you have slavaged all the water that you can get a strong shop vac and just get it done. You can keep and slavage all water up unitl the point that you disturb the sandbed. toss the rest along with the sand. keep water and aeration (and temp) moving in your tub with the corals and fish, and temp and circulation to any other containers of water you save Have new ASW made up in advance to make up for what you lost Doing it that way more or less is the only way I woudl advise to remove your sandbed in a reef tank unless it is very young....like no more than a few months. and even then i would still do it that way probably jmo __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

08/31/2008, 10:29 PM	#2
SeaSaltyDog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: McDonough, Georgia Posts: 223	You are going to remove water no matter what you do. If you have access to a wet vac go with that. You can siphon it out but you will need a large diameter hose to avoid constant clogging. Removing a sand bed takes alot longer than you would think and is going to be a smelly mess. I would have a large amount of water prepared and remove the bed completly, top to bottom, one section at a time. I am just assumming you are removing a DSB from your 90. Good luck, god speed, and try not to lose your mind.

08/31/2008, 10:46 PM	#4
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	thanks guys. 90 gallon is correct. the sand is probably 5 months old. i barely have 10 corals or so... i have already made 20 SW gallons today. tomorrow i will siphon the sand out, slowly. i will be patience enough and even if i don't do it all tomorrow, that's fine, more will be taken out next week etc. thanks