Sand bed changeout

[jonmf]

Well I've decided to change out my sand from white to black. Think it's a cool look. I wanted to run my plan by you guys and get some feedback and suggestions. I have a shallow sand bed now, about 1 - 2" and I don't want to empty the tank and do want to do this on the fly.

My plan is to, slowly over the next six weeks or so siphon out my existing sand while doing routine wc's. I won't be able to get all of it but most I think most. Then let it go bare bottom for a short time and maybe some that I couldn't siphon out would work its way out. Then slowly add the new sand.

Looking for input, ideas and any comments really.

Another question is regular or live sand? I have a lot of live rock already, established for about 6 years.

115 gallon reef

 

[jonmf]

Full tank shot




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[jonmf]

ttt


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[lowbudget]

that will work. just dont piss off the carpet, cause when he start moving who whats what damage that guy can do.

 

[BeanMachine]

Remove it in sections, maybe 1/4 of it at a time... try not to disturb it too much... suck it out with a wider diameter tubing.

 

[benibarra23]

You sure you dont want to do Pink Sand? Your wife might like it.

 

[Jhuneke]

+1 on doing it in sections.. You could cut some strips of acrylic to leave in sandbed to keep them from mixing together. I'm thinking of doing same thing in my nano. Giving it like a week between swap outs to let new sand establish a bit, and doing like 4-5 swap sessions to avoid any cycling and stressing the seahorses too much. Like the black sand a lot too

 

[BeanMachine]

The black sand just shows more detritus but if your up on the maintenance and do a thin layer... you can just vaccum it periodically.

The acrylic sheet is also a good idea, however I would just remove the sand in sections , go bare bottom, then slowly add it back.. the sheet might not stay in place with all the flow etc

 

[jonmf]

You sure you dont want to do Pink Sand? Your wife might like it.

Haha. I stopped Petco earlier, they're all sold out of pink sand, blue plants and big eyed goldfish!


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[jonmf]

You sure you dont want to do Pink Sand? Your wife might like it.

Haha. I stopped by Petco earlier, they're all sold out of pink sand, blue plants and big eyed goldfish!


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[jonmf]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Some good information.


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[daddie05]

Was thinking of adding more sand to my Reef tank as well. Thanks Jhunkie and Beanmachine.

 

[805reef]

Have you started doing this yet Jon?

I am planning on doing the same thing with my tank. I think I am going to use my shop vac to suck out the sand. Do it in about 4 different sections, one each week. I like your idea of leaving it bare bottom for a bit until putting new sand in.

 

[jonmf]

805, I decided not to do it. Just thought it wasn't worth the cost and quite frankly the risk. I got an Apex instead. That takes up all of my extra time and money!

 

[805reef]

LOL. Well I'm going to give it a shot starting this weekend.

Congrats on the apex! Great choice :thumb:

 

[jonmf]

Good luck to ya. Post some before and afters..