Help changing reef tank substrate?

[NicholasP]

I want to finally change my substrate, because I have bali sand 2-3mm gravel, and I really don't like it. The tank has been established and running for almost a year now.

I want to replace it with fine live sand, how would I go about replacing it?
I'm thinking doing a deep clean, remove around half of the dt water volume, remove the gravel and then use a pipe to slowly funnel the new sand in. Its live sand, so do I need to rinse it to get rid of cloudiness, or rinsing it will kill the beneficial bacteria in it?

 

[SaltyBear]

Just did this to get rid of Caribesea black sand.
Scooped out the sand in sections put it in a tub to spread it out to get the snails and such out.

If it is live sand from Tampa Bay or such, don't rinse it. From Caribesea or such live sand from a bag rinse it. I did spread it out before placing in a section at a time and got unwanted critters out.

After the substrate change then I did the water change.

 

[eggie]

I would highly recommend you not using fine sand. When giving the adequate flow for corals specially SPS sand starts to blow every were thru the tank. Fine sand cant be siphon as its so light you end up pulling it out of the tank rather then cleaning it

I think you grain is fine its better to siphon and move it so it stays white and clean.

If your looking for a different sand try Carib Sea Sea Flor Special grade

 

[JonasRoman]

I have done that a few times, back in the days when I struggled dino, and thought changing sand should help (it didnt). I just took a large hose and by siphon started to suction as much as possible. Ofcourse not a big deal if something is left. At the same time this will creates a considerable water change, so you have to be quick and use the time to catch sand rather than only water. Use a hose of quite large diameter to avoid too fast obstruction.

The new sand (I dont think its nececary with living sand as all sand will soon become living, and if the living sand is not so living you introduce ammonium and other undesirable nutrients in an established system=dangerous), I introduce with help of a fishing net. Slowly. The cloudiness is no worrie, will dissapear after a few days.

Jonas

 

[Mongo1.0]

Scooping works well if the sand is coarse. Siphoning works well with fine sand. I have done both. Just check to make sure you are not losing snails or other tank mates. If siphoning, I siphoned it to a 5 gallon bucket. Let it settle for a little bit and then you can put the water back in. I used I small to do that. That will minimize your water change to whatever you want.

 

[NicholasP]

Thank you all for the replies! My choices are either live sand (nature ocean 0,1-0,5mm natural white sand) or dry sand (the sand, Bahamas white by fauna marin at 0,1-0,3mm). Which one should I choose?
I currently sold all my sps and the only inhabitants are a blue damsel a tridacna derasa, 2 tux urchins and 2 cleaner shrimp, because I want to do a tank renovation.

Will I encounter problems with the powerheads and cleaning as one member said?

 

[Mongo1.0]

If it is fine sand, you definitely don't need extra flow. It would cloud the aquarium and could be rough on the fish gills. I would turn them off regardless of which kind. On the type of sand, I like the more coarse because it doesn't stir up a much and get in my corals.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

special grade for sure if you want to keep sps. I can’t stand the fine in my tank and will be switching special grade with next tank. It blows everywhere as soon as a snail emerges from sand bed

 

[NicholasP]

What exactly is special grade? Is it a special granulometry or material? The dried sand i named, is 98% caco3, so I'm guessing it is aragonite, no?
What exactly should I look for a "special grade" sand?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

1-3 mm - i think it’s called Arag alive. not too fine but not too course. It’s on BRS

 

[NicholasP]

1-3 mm - i think it’s called Arag alive. not too fine but not too course. It’s on BRS

Oh okay! I will look into that then. I can't order from brs as I reside in Europe, but I'm sure I'll be able to find something like this. Thanks a lot!

 

[eggie]

What exactly is special grade? Is it a special granulometry or material? The dried sand i named, is 98% caco3, so I'm guessing it is aragonite, no?
What exactly should I look for a "special grade" sand?

Sea Flor Special Grade is just the name for the sand its a mix of 1mm and 2mm not fine not to big and then it comes dry (Aragonite) or live (Arag-alive)

 

[NicholasP]

It seems that I can get the CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Sand , is it any good? Says its aeagonite at 1-2mm

 

[eggie]

It seems that I can get the CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Sand , is it any good? Says its aeagonite at 1-2mm

yes its great