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.
88 gallon tank.
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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.
- Filled up a 15g tub with saltwater a heater and a bubbler.
- Pulled all rock and livestock and put it in tub.
- Trashed all the water in the tank. with the exception of 5g.
- Pulled the gravel and put it in a rubber tub, this was to find the hermit crabs.
- Used a Shop-Vac to get the rest, and scrubbed the bottom of the tank for any debris.
- Added liverock back to empty tank.
- Added sand around live rock.
- Filled tank 1/2 way with the 15g water in the tub. When the tub got low I added the livestock and crabs.
- Added the 5g of old water
- Topped it off with fresh saltwater
- Added Dr. Tim’s 30g
- Pulled filter and turned off skimmer for 24hrs
+1Why? 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.Why? Haven't touched mine since this tank was started in 5+ years.
I’m not taking 88 gallons outI did this on my Biocube here’s the post from my build thread.
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.I’m not taking 88 gallons out
Seems way aggressive, for this issue. Why not just get a few conch snails to stir that bad boy up for you?Because I happen to have a small cyano outbreak.
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 sandBecause 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
Just remove old sand ?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.
+1Just remove old sand ?
but with new sand it’s the same process! Rinse sand until it’s clear
Figured I’ll post it... since I looked it up to read it lol.There are many sand rinse threads if you search ....
i believe rip clean is another name used ?
I’m surprised Brandon didn’t smell the old sand in this post ...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 never touch my sand bed and it’s always cleanI want to remove entire sand bed to clean. What would be the best recommended process for this? Your input is appreciated.
88 gallon tank.