Changing Substrate

[abzhama]

Hi all, New to REEF2REEF and first post!

so I currently have a aqua one mini reef and my sand bed is pretty fine, there is constantly sand being blown around by fish & wave makers onto my aqua scape and corals.

Was wondering how to go about switching my substrate from sand to crushed coral? Is it possible to change?

Change a small amount at a time? Or can it be done in one go?


Tank is about 5 months old.

 

[Ron Reefman]

First allow me to say 'Welcome to Reef2Reef!'



You ask a good question and you may get several different answers here, so study them carefully and ask more questions if you need any clarification.

I use very fine sand as well. But I don't have any real issues with it being blown around by fish, wavemakers yes, but not fish. I don't point any wavemakers at the sand and if I do, they are turned way down so they don't move too much sand. Also, the fine sand will develop more ability to stay in place over time. Various stuff will grow in the sand and help hold it in place better (assuming you don't vacuum the sand).

If you want to change it, I'd recommend doing it all at one time. Adding heavier sand (I wouldn't use crushed coral as it's too course) will find it's way to the bottom of the mix and the fine sand will end up at the top and you'll still have the sand moving issue. And sand really shouldn't affect your water parameters assuming you have enough live rock for the beneficial bacteria to live on/in.

What are your concerns about changing the sand? Have you determined how you are going to do it?

 

[PDR]

Welcome to R2R!

I agree, your tank is young enough that you should be able to swap it all out at one time without issue. I recommend the Caribsea special grade sand.

 

[abzhama]

Thanks heaps guys for your replies, my concerns were that after reading heaps of threads, I gathered that beneficial bacteria grows on/in your sand.
So if was to remove it would It have an affect on my parameters?

After reading your reply I might just stick to my sand, plus in my opinion it looks much better than CC.

I always have my wave makers pointed away from the sand but the flow tends to cause my sand to be blown around.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I was waiting for you to come to dinner, glad you made it, welcome

 

[AquaFlow]

I have a similar issue as well and was looking for some advice on the best way to do this. I have a 55 gallon tank that has only been running for about 4 months. Current livestock includes 1 tomato clown, 1 peppermint shrimp, and a small CUC consisting of some hermits, Naserias, other snails. Also 3 pieces of live rock. Substrate is currently coarse crushed coral (which was left from when I had a cichlid tank. I was just told today by my LFS that I should think about changing to live sand to allow me more variety of sand-dwelling creatures and to aid the CUC in being able to turn over the substrate. What would be the best way for me to accomplish this?