Remove entire sand bed to clean

[jmichaelh7]

I want to remove entire sand bed to clean. What would be the best recommended process for this? Your input is appreciated.

88 gallon tank.

 

[Brady4000]

I did this on my Biocube here’s the post from my build thread.

Biocube Update

Changed out the substrate from gravel to sand!! No coral or livestock losses yay!

90% water change
Added Dr. Tim to help
Used live sand “special grade”

How I did it.

1. Filled up a 15g tub with saltwater a heater and a bubbler.
2. Pulled all rock and livestock and put it in tub.
3. Trashed all the water in the tank. with the exception of 5g.
4. Pulled the gravel and put it in a rubber tub, this was to find the hermit crabs.
5. Used a Shop-Vac to get the rest, and scrubbed the bottom of the tank for any debris.
6. Added liverock back to empty tank.
7. Added sand around live rock.
8. Filled tank 1/2 way with the 15g water in the tub. When the tub got low I added the livestock and crabs.
9. Added the 5g of old water
10. Topped it off with fresh saltwater
11. Added Dr. Tim’s 30g
12. Pulled filter and turned off skimmer for 24hrs

 

[Brady4000]

If you don’t want to remove it all at one time. You can always remove a little every WC. Til it’s gone.

 

[HB AL]

Why? Haven't touched mine since this tank was started in 5+ years.

 

[Brady4000]

Why? Haven't touched mine since this tank was started in 5+ years.

+1

I figured it was a substrate change out. But if it’s just for cleaning.... I agree with @HB AL . Unless your just going bare bottom now?

 

[gentlefish]

Taking the sand out risks release of detritus, increase of nitrate and decrease bacteria. Putting new sand in can do similar if the sand is not clean. Suggest just to go slow with it. I have previously just sucked some sand out bit at a time, with the water changes. No problems observed. Takes a bit longer, but you get there.

 

[sergifed91]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. Now I know what to do. Ty

 

[jmichaelh7]

Why? Haven't touched mine since this tank was started in 5+ years.

Because I happen to have a small cyano outbreak. I had pulled some sand maybe 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket worth. When I looked at the sand the following day the water was so dirty and murky. It made me think that the sand has not been cleaned in years it probably has so much gunk underneath that CUC can’t get too.

possibly contributing factor to cyano ?

The sand smelled so bad , of course from detritus. My plan is to remove and clean sand with hydrogen peroxide. Then rinse and put back

 

[jmichaelh7]

I did this on my Biocube here’s the post from my build thread.

I’m not taking 88 gallons out

 

[Brady4000]

I’m not taking 88 gallons out

Then sounds like a little at a time is where it is at for you. I have a 60g tank, if I wanted to do a substrate removal. I would do it exactly the same way again. But again... I am impatient.

 

[Brady4000]

Because I happen to have a small cyano outbreak.

Seems way aggressive, for this issue. Why not just get a few conch snails to stir that bad boy up for you?

 

[HB AL]

Because I happen to have a small cyano outbreak. I had pulled some sand maybe 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket worth. When I looked at the sand the following day the water was so dirty and murky. It made me think that the sand has not been cleaned in years it probably has so much gunk underneath that CUC can’t get too.

possibly contributing factor to cyano ?

The sand smelled so bad , of course from detritus. My plan is to remove and clean sand with hydrogen peroxide. Then rinse and put back

Cyano is not being caused by your sand bed. Instead of removing, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, then rinsing, all the combined things you are planning is probably gonna kill most if not all the living creatures in the sand then adding it back in your tank, which is probably gonna have a negative effect on your livestock (negatively). If your gonna do all that to your current sand
your tank and inhabitants have a better chance of less or no negative effects from removing all the "old" sand and adding all live new sand. I'm gonna stick with never vacuuming or cleaning my sand as its worked with all my tanks. Here's a pic of my current tank.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Cyano is not being caused by your sand bed. Instead of removing, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, then rinsing, all the combined things you are planning is probably gonna kill most if not all the living creatures in the sand then adding it back in your tank, which is probably gonna have a negative effect on your livestock (negatively). If your gonna do all that to your current sand
your tank and inhabitants have a better chance of less or no negative effects from removing all the "old" sand and adding all live new sand. I'm gonna stick with never vacuuming or cleaning my sand as its worked with all my tanks. Here's a pic of my current tank.

Just remove old sand ?

but with new sand it’s the same process! Rinse sand until it’s clear

 

[Brady4000]

Just remove old sand ?

but with new sand it’s the same process! Rinse sand until it’s clear

+1
As long as you do it right shouldn’t be an issue.

Here is a good read of how others accomplished this. I would reuse my sand...

Reusing old sand

I have read dozens of threads on this and there seems to be a lack of consensus. Much of it depends on the specifics, so here goes. I am setting up a 75g mixed reef. I have sand that I bought new and used on my last set up. When I took it down, I placed the sand in a bucket. It would cost...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Brady4000]

I would say your bigger issues is how are you going to get it out. Kinda curious, with the advice given what you going with?

 

[Rmckoy]

There are many sand rinse threads if you search ....

i believe rip clean is another name used ?

 

[Brady4000]

There are many sand rinse threads if you search ....

i believe rip clean is another name used ?

Figured I’ll post it... since I looked it up to read it lol.

Sand/tank RIP clean - During - After - Updates

I’m guessing that’s what this is. So some of you know I’ve posted some threads about diatoms in my established tank. I can’t rid them for the life of me with water changes and 2-5 ppm nitrate and .3 to .10 phosphate. My tank itself is stable and looks good except for this dang brown sand. so...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Rmckoy]

Figured I’ll post it... since I looked it up to read it lol.

Sand/tank RIP clean - During - After - Updates

I’m guessing that’s what this is. So some of you know I’ve posted some threads about diatoms in my established tank. I can’t rid them for the life of me with water changes and 2-5 ppm nitrate and .3 to .10 phosphate. My tank itself is stable and looks good except for this dang brown sand. so...

www.reef2reef.com

I’m surprised Brandon didn’t smell the old sand in this post ...

 

[CoralB]

i Agree with HB AL except for the not touching the sand part . Look at your tank and visualize the bottom sand in quarters , then start vacuuming each quadrant really well while trying not to stir the detritus into the water column while doing your regular water changes . In a month or so your sand bed should be clean . There are bacteria products u can use to help break down the detritus as well . After you’ve clean the sand, conch snails , and nassarius snails will help keep the sand bed clean .

 

[salmonte2]

I want to remove entire sand bed to clean. What would be the best recommended process for this? Your input is appreciated.

88 gallon tank.

I never touch my sand bed and it’s always clean