Remove aio while fish and coral are in

[Jake_the_reefer]

So for my 20g tank I have a lousy DIY aio siliconed inside of it. It takes up half the tank and it needs to go however it is siliconed in and I have coral and fish living in it. Would it be safe for me to cut the silicone out and remove the aio, then add extra sand back in the tank all while the livestock is still in it or should I remove all live stock. (I dont want to anger my nems)

 

[CubsFan]

I would move everything into a temporary tank. It’s harder to pull those aio walls than one might think.