Sand has been in there for close to 6 months. Here's why I did it. I believe and based on this assumption that because my sand has been stirred so much and constantly being moved back and forth(by engineer gobys, diamond gobys, sand conch, horseshoe crab, AND myself) that there is little to no anaerobic bacteria. So It effectively should release little or no toxins. The sand stirring has been going on for roughly a few months now. If I was to experience a spike I would have seen it by now because of the sheer volume that the sand has been disturbed. Based on my observation of the color of the sand and there are no trapped bubbles underneath it by the glass I then guessed that it was safe to ASSUME that bacteria was not being harbored by the sand.
Yes, I did get suggestions to remove the sand slowly. Once I started taking it out I kind of just wanted it gone I chose not to do it because I was hasty. It was mostly like an OCD impulse move (forgive me)
Fish seem fine so far 2 hours in and are eating. Will let sand settle and I will do a secondary siphon in a day or two. Every hour I'll keep an eye on tank.
I know everyone's response has been to care for my tank. I thank you for that.
If the sand was in there for a long time its gonna be game over !!! and dont stir your sand ever ... "Bad" it will release toxins into your tank ... your sand bed is a part of your filtration system that helps to break down all the things bad in your tank over time and turn it back into good usable stuff for your tank ....
