Replace fine sand bed with a larger grain?

[rgf1046]

I set up a 28g Nano Cube a few months ago that has been doing great, everything is healthy and parameters are stable. I am regretting using fine white sand though. I have always used crushed coral in my previous tanks, but liked the look of the fine sand and wanted to try something different. The problem is the stuff will not stay in place with even moderate flow. I have a Tunze 6040 that even at it's lowest setting, in every possible location, won't stop blowing sand around. Question is, what are the negatives to vaccuming out as much of the sand as possible and replacing with a larger grain "live" sand or CC? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[brandon429]

you can for sure change it for that, just keep the cc clean by removing detritus it catches as part of normal maintenance. its ok stuff.

[rgf1046]

Any tips for going about the actual process? Should I take everything out and put it in tubs with tank water, or is it possible to vaccum out and gently add new substrate with disturbing the inhabitants too much?

[Boggers]

If you are removing it all, save yourself some time and effort and pull everything out. That way you can turn off pumps and not worry about a dust storm.

[NYfishies]

Any tips for going about the actual process? Should I take everything out and put it in tubs with tank water, or is it possible to vaccum out and gently add new substrate with disturbing the inhabitants too much?

 

Here is what I did with my tank as I have the exact same problem. Difference is my tank was mature at 2 years old. The sand covers my zoas, but I want high flow so I chose very large grain sand (Tropic Eden Reeflakes Grand Select).

 

I have about 10 lbs in the tank total. It started as 10 lbs of fine sand only. Day 1 I added about 4 cups of the new sand. Day 2 I used the vacuum which only pulls the fine sand out. Waited about a week and did this again. Waited another week and did again. So on and so forth. After a month or 2 there is not much fine sand left and I have no issues with blowing sand.

 

Expect to see Diatoms.

[rgf1046]

Thanks for the advice, off to the LFS I go.

[rgf1046]

Well I used the Rubbermaid tubs, took everything out, swapped substrates (went to a coarse Caribsea Natural Reef) and the tank is already clearing up. I can crank up my Tunze now and nothing blows around at all - much happier. Thanks for the tips.

[Redlegmedic]

When first setting up my 30g about a year ago i used the CaribSea Arag-Alive Hawaiian Black. Its particle size ranges from .25mm up to 3.5mm. I find the larger pieces hold the substrate in place but the smaller pieces still allow my goby to sift through it. Plus it made for a fast cycle.

[Clown79]

I'vr used caribsea fiji pink, crushed coral, and the hawaiian black.

 

 

My favourite grain is the fiji pink. Doesn't blow around at all, easy to clean.

 

Cc is ok but definitely needs good cleaning. Sand sifters don't do great in it.

 

 

Hawaiian black- never again.

 

I will never use the hawaiian black again for that reason. I have a ton of flow, 1 fish, vacuum weekly and it just can't stay clean. Ended up with hair algae on the sand and even nassarius's don't seem to dig so well in it.

[jtwisconsin]

My favourite grain is the fiji pink. Doesn't blow around at all, easy to clean.

 

 

Best decision I ever made was replacing fine sand with Fiji Pink in my 6 gallon. Made a huge difference and looks much better.