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Moving tank across the room


debbeach13

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Hope to move my tank next weekend. When I do I want to replace the Hawaiian black sand. I loved this in my little pico but not so much in the 20l. I am trying to decide on Fiji Pink .5 - 1.5mm or special grade 1 - 2mm. I do like a good amount of flow so it seems like special grade would stay in place better. Please tell me if you use either one and if you have sand storms. Thanks

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I use Fiji Pink in my 29G. The only time I had sand storm was when I first set up the tank. It settled after like 2 days. I have 2 Koralia nano on the top half of the tank blowing at each other, plus a couple hang on back filters.

 

I wouldn't remove the sand all at once. You may stir up too much detritus and cause nitrate/phos spike or even ammonia spike if your biofilter cannot handle the load. Different story if you drain all water first then manually scoop out the sand. But even so I will keep Prime on hand, test ammonia daily, and maybe dose bacteria like microbacter.

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I switched from the super fine oolitic sand to special grade and I like it quite a bit. I personally preferred the look of the fine sand - but the sandstorms were significant at times. Seems plenty of people are happy with both the sands you list so I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Whichever you get make sure to rinse the crap out of it though ;) That makes for a much clearer tank after adding the sand.

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Reef Grade..........I have the reef grade in a IM 30L with a MP10 and a upgraded return and have no issues at all. My 100 has the Fiji Pink and well I cant turn my MP 40 up much or the M1 return without issues.......I say if you like flow stick with the heavier sand. I love the look of the Fiji but............

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I like the fiji pink. Mine never blows around. Not the oolite size.

 

You can safely replace sand by syphoning it out. There are many threads on the process. Brandon429 and Seabass have provided detailed info.

 

One of the best ways is removing the water first then removing the sand. Replace sand and then water.

 

Either way, I'd have prime on hand in the event of any spike.

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Thanks everyone for the reply's. I ordered the special grade and some prime this morning. I am thinking of moving the live rock, fish and coral to a 10 gallon tank. Run a heater,the HOB with the used filter media left in, and the light. Maybe save some more of the water in a bucket or storage bin with a pump. Let the 20 set with a few inches of water covering the sand for a few hours to catch what ever snails come out to see what's up. Then empty the tank and refill mixing new SW about 10 gallons in the tank with a pump and heater until SG and temp are good, rinse new sand dump in put filter floss in different hob for a day or so until some what settled. Then move livestock in. TaDa done. Use prime as needed

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I just moved my tank to my new house a few weeks ago. It was about 7 miles away.

 

I did replace my whole bed with new sand, once I arrived at the new house I had the tank set up running and stocked with my livestock with in about 4-5 hours. Suffered no losses or had any issues with params.

 

I used a 5gal bucket, filled about 1/3rd - added live stock

25 Gallon rubbermaid bin. Removed rock + corals added water to cover rocks and keep them wet.

Drained the rest of the water from tank.

 

Loaded up and moved.

 

Once at new location, added power head and heater to rocks, air stone and heater to bucket.

 

Removed old sand, gave the tank and good scrap 20L

 

RINSED new sand, placed in tank, filled her up added equipment and acclimated livestock and good to go.

 

I had no dust storm due to washing the sand as it took all the silt out. My rock that I am using has been wet for over 5 years and was able to the loss of the old sand.

 

I haven't had any other issues other than a slight diatom bloom. But then that all has been well.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The new stand just arrived. Depending on how you look at it one week late from original date or 1 day early from revised date. The move may have to wait company arriving for the Holidays and a birthday celebration. They are bringing the cat and bird with them. My tiny house may seem a bit crowded. But I am pretty excited to see everyone.

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