32g BioCube

[Jesoccer94]

Wanting to redo the aquascape in my 32 gallon biocube. It has been set up for around 3 and a half years. I will be exchanging my LR with some new LR from the LFS. One big reason I want to do it is I have some palys that have grown like weeds and need a new start. Should I replace the sand too (I heard once that it should be replaced at some point, not sure how true)? Also would love some ideas on aquascapes!! Thanks in advance.

 

[TriggersAmuck]

If you want to keep the beneficial bacteria from the sand you could take the breakdown as simply an opportunity to rinse the sand very thoroughly in tank water to clear it out of muck.

 

[Jesoccer94]

So basically stir it up and siphon out the water?

 

[TriggersAmuck]

When I had sand in my tank (my current one is bare bottom) I would try to do sand stirring several times a week, minus the siphoning, as good mechanical filtration and skimming will remove the particulates from the water column. Done frequently you can have a reasonably clean sand bed (while not affecting the bacterial culture). If you have a deep sand bed (6"+?) this may be less recommended since you would be disturbing the anoxic areas and thus loosing the benefits of such, but for most typical depths this is highly recommended.