Replacing the sand.....new cycle?

[jof]

I want to replace the sand in my tank.

It is one year old and it is the standard RSM substrate brown/white.

And i want to replace it with live sand.

 

Can i just do this or will i have a new cycle?

[fiction101]

I would move all the live rock/corals and water into a large tub. Then replace the old sand sand with clean dry sand. Then I would place all the live stock and water back in, followed by a 25 percent water change.

[cruiZe]

the new sand will be fine, it wont cause anything.

 

removing the established sand will cause a big mess/ spikes/ problems.

 

Y u wanna do dat?

[jof]

Well there is just about 1 cm of sand in there.

So it isn't much.

 

I suck it out with a large hose.

[fiction101]

Well there is just about 1 cm of sand in there.

So it isn't much.

 

I suck it out with a large hose.

 

and risk crashing your tank.

[cruiZe]

how bout this. Buy some dry sand you like the look/size of. Rinse it really well first with tap water, then ro water, then some waterchange saltwater. Slowly add some of the new sand with the existing sand, not all at once, but a little at a time. The old sand will establish the new stuff and you get the look you want with minimal mess.

 

and avoid this.

and risk crashing your tank.

 

 

adding more sand threads

read them

[fiction101]

Or just do what I mentioned above. I've only done it like 5 times....

[cruiZe]

Or just do what I mentioned above. I've only done it like 5 times....

+1. either way, don't mess with the existing sand with livestock in the tank.

[jof]

Oké......this will be allot!!!! of work.

 

Maybe i leave it the way it is.....

[amnestia]

I don't see any problem with sucking out all the sand at once especially if it's only 1cm. If you use a large enough siphon hose and pull out any dust/detritus along with the sand it won't cause a cycle. The reason it might in some cases is that the sand gets stirred and releases a bunch of crap into the water, having a strong siphon that will pull out all of this will prevent that.

 

Adding fresh live sand or dry sand (preferrably rinsed) won't give you a cycle either.

 

If you want to be very cautious just do half the job one week then the other half a week or two later.

[cheryl jordan]

I want to replace the sand in my tank.

It is one year old and it is the standard RSM substrate brown/white.

And i want to replace it with live sand.

 

Can i just do this or will i have a new cycle?

 

 

You already have live sand.

 

Changing out the sand will cause a mini cycle, if you want to change out the sand, just watch your parameters and do a w/c if needed.

 

[jof]

I will change the sand in 3 times.

First the left, second the middle and the right.

So i think this will work.....

[Austin]

+1 Cheryl.

 

You got live sand already. Why not mix your existing sand with some new stuff. I was in the same situation as you and just dumped some aragonite in with my existing sand. Do that, put everything back, and 25% WC followed by another 25% WC a week later and you'll be fine.