fine Sand Vs Aragonite

Luckylouse · 01/06/2010, 11:49 AM

Early next month I'm upgrading my tank and have to make the move it one shot. Meaning everything comes out of my tank in to a few holding areas and then into my new tank. I want to make sure this process takes less than 5 hours. I've got everything somewhat figured out but I have an issue with my current sand bed. I as using Aragonite right now and my copepod production is really, really good and it's pretty well established. The big concern I guess is that when I disturb the sand bed I might be releasing some pretty toxic gases. Am I better off going with new sand and just seeding my new tank with about 5 pounds out of my old tank?

If I do that... What is the best way to eliminate the cloudy affect from adding the water to the new tank?

I have a small fuge in the sump with a DSB and I have a decent amount of pods in it.

Your thoughts and comments will be appreciated. My goal to avoid losing any fish and corals.

Luckylouse · 01/08/2010, 10:34 PM

not a single reply?

Popeye · 01/08/2010, 10:56 PM

I did the same thing, but it took me about 18 hours when I had planned on about 6. Had some unforeseen plumbing problems, among other things. I ditched most of the substrate and seeded it with some of the old stuff. Can't remember how much. Any cloudiness went away quickly enough. Better make sure you can maintain heat and some flow in the holding tanks in case you also have an unplanned delay, based on my experience. It was a huge PITA but it all worked out fine I didn't lose anything that I recall.

Boundless · 01/08/2010, 11:05 PM

Congratulations!

On the upgrade but do you mind if I ask what gallon are you upgrading to?

nikon187 · 01/08/2010, 11:27 PM

you will need more than 5 hours, this is almost a guarentee. I would use new sand and seed with a cup or 2( not 5 pounds ) of the old. Wash the new sand to eliminate the cloudiness. when you add the water place a plate and then a large bowl on top of it, pour the water into the bowl so it spills onto the plate and then onto the sand.

EllieSuz · 01/09/2010, 03:16 AM

I just went through this. We stacked the rock on bare glass and I added pre-washed sand over the next couple of days. It had been washed in tap water and then left to stand in fresh saltwater for quite a while. I purchased a long funnel from the automotive dept at Walmart and attached a length of hose to it so it reached the bottom. Then I spooned sand into the funnel. This is a great way to direct the sand right where you want it and the cloudy effect was minimal. An added benefit to this method is that the rock is solid on the bottom; because the sand was added after the rock, no burrowing critters can topple the rockwork.

maroun.c · 01/09/2010, 06:56 AM

Guess it also depends on if you have a DSB or a shallow one. If it's a DSB that has been running for more than a year then it might contain some nasty stuff in the bootom layer that you wouldn't want to disturb and transfer to your new tank.
In that case your best bet would be to take out the sand and rinse it heavily with freshwater till you stop getting very dark water out of it. a tube of running water can esily go down in a sand filled bucket and will agitate and clean all the sand.
I planned a 1 day move and ended up using more than a week. The safest bet is to prepare for unforseen delays to avoid killing stuff.

Lizard333 · 01/09/2010, 07:28 AM

I wouldn't worry to much about the cloudiness of the water either, the fish don't mind. The most important thing is the use of the seeding from your old tank. But defiantly give your self way more time than you think. A good rule of thumb is to take the time you think it will take and triple it. Nothing ever goes as planned....

Popeye · 01/09/2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boundless

Congratulations!

On the upgrade but do you mind if I ask what gallon are you upgrading to?

From a 90 to a 120

bobparker · 01/09/2010, 05:11 PM

new sand/seeded, and take your time.

Luckylouse · 01/09/2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boundless

Congratulations!

On the upgrade but do you mind if I ask what gallon are you upgrading to?

It's an odd shape. 52x27x23 with coast to coast external overflow. 140 gallon plus the over flow plus the sump for a total of 180 gal. Going starphire on 3 sides.
It's an upgrade of 55 Gallons I figure.

Luckylouse · 01/09/2010, 11:13 PM

double post.

Luckylouse · 01/09/2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maroun.c

Guess it also depends on if you have a DSB or a shallow one. If it's a DSB that has been running for more than a year then it might contain some nasty stuff in the bootom layer that you wouldn't want to disturb and transfer to your new tank.
In that case your best bet would be to take out the sand and rinse it heavily with freshwater till you stop getting very dark water out of it. a tube of running water can esily go down in a sand filled bucket and will agitate and clean all the sand.
I planned a 1 day move and ended up using more than a week. The safest bet is to prepare for unforseen delays to avoid killing stuff.

Thanks.
I'm not using a deep sand bed but I think I want to switch to sand I think. I just had to deal with Red bugs so I'm not too worried about bringing my pods in to the new tank. i'm pretty sure I nuked most of them! Damn. Anyways, Thanks for all of your help! I'll take all of these tip into consideration!

I'll start a build thread once my tanks gets here/

Luckylouse · 01/10/2010, 09:48 AM

ANOTHER QUESTION>>>

Should I go with Dry- Oolite vs dry Oolite.

What color would you guys recommend?

01/06/2010, 11:49 AM	#1
Luckylouse Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Burlington Posts: 394	fine Sand Vs Aragonite Early next month I'm upgrading my tank and have to make the move it one shot. Meaning everything comes out of my tank in to a few holding areas and then into my new tank. I want to make sure this process takes less than 5 hours. I've got everything somewhat figured out but I have an issue with my current sand bed. I as using Aragonite right now and my copepod production is really, really good and it's pretty well established. The big concern I guess is that when I disturb the sand bed I might be releasing some pretty toxic gases. Am I better off going with new sand and just seeding my new tank with about 5 pounds out of my old tank? If I do that... What is the best way to eliminate the cloudy affect from adding the water to the new tank? I have a small fuge in the sump with a DSB and I have a decent amount of pods in it. Your thoughts and comments will be appreciated. My goal to avoid losing any fish and corals.

01/08/2010, 11:05 PM	#4
Boundless Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Richardson,Texas Posts: 140	Congratulations! On the upgrade but do you mind if I ask what gallon are you upgrading to? __________________ The biggest tank you can have in life is in your dreams. = ) Current Tank Info: Planning Stage!

01/08/2010, 11:27 PM	#5
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	you will need more than 5 hours, this is almost a guarentee. I would use new sand and seed with a cup or 2( not 5 pounds ) of the old. Wash the new sand to eliminate the cloudiness. when you add the water place a plate and then a large bowl on top of it, pour the water into the bowl so it spills onto the plate and then onto the sand. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/09/2010, 06:56 AM	#7
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Guess it also depends on if you have a DSB or a shallow one. If it's a DSB that has been running for more than a year then it might contain some nasty stuff in the bootom layer that you wouldn't want to disturb and transfer to your new tank. In that case your best bet would be to take out the sand and rinse it heavily with freshwater till you stop getting very dark water out of it. a tube of running water can esily go down in a sand filled bucket and will agitate and clean all the sand. I planned a 1 day move and ended up using more than a week. The safest bet is to prepare for unforseen delays to avoid killing stuff. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

01/09/2010, 07:28 AM	#8
Lizard333 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 81	I wouldn't worry to much about the cloudiness of the water either, the fish don't mind. The most important thing is the use of the seeding from your old tank. But defiantly give your self way more time than you think. A good rule of thumb is to take the time you think it will take and triple it. Nothing ever goes as planned.... __________________ Bueller. Bueller. Bueller......... Current Tank Info: 28 gallon JBJ, new 160....

01/08/2010, 10:34 PM	#2
Luckylouse Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Burlington Posts: 394	not a single reply?

01/08/2010, 10:56 PM	#3
Popeye Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 90	I did the same thing, but it took me about 18 hours when I had planned on about 6. Had some unforeseen plumbing problems, among other things. I ditched most of the substrate and seeded it with some of the old stuff. Can't remember how much. Any cloudiness went away quickly enough. Better make sure you can maintain heat and some flow in the holding tanks in case you also have an unplanned delay, based on my experience. It was a huge PITA but it all worked out fine I didn't lose anything that I recall.

01/09/2010, 03:16 AM	#6
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	I just went through this. We stacked the rock on bare glass and I added pre-washed sand over the next couple of days. It had been washed in tap water and then left to stand in fresh saltwater for quite a while. I purchased a long funnel from the automotive dept at Walmart and attached a length of hose to it so it reached the bottom. Then I spooned sand into the funnel. This is a great way to direct the sand right where you want it and the cloudy effect was minimal. An added benefit to this method is that the rock is solid on the bottom; because the sand was added after the rock, no burrowing critters can topple the rockwork.

01/09/2010, 05:11 PM	#10
bobparker Independent thinker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: fletcher, n.c. Posts: 273	new sand/seeded, and take your time.

01/09/2010, 11:13 PM	#12
Luckylouse Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Burlington Posts: 394	double post. Last edited by Luckylouse; 01/09/2010 at 11:14 PM. Reason: double post

01/10/2010, 09:48 AM	#14
Luckylouse Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Burlington Posts: 394	ANOTHER QUESTION>>> Should I go with Dry- Oolite vs dry Oolite. What color would you guys recommend?