Removing Sand Bed

Tyreef2016 · Oct 2, 2016

I Have a 90 gallon tank and started with a sand bed. I'm looking to siphon it out.

1. will removing the sand bed create a problem?
-I have though about only removing only 50% of the sand bed. i think it would be nice to leave sand behind and under the rocks and basically remove the sand from the front leaving it BB.

2. Anything i should be aware of if i choose to remove it all?

Looking to siphon and replace during Water changes.

bios · Oct 2, 2016

Shutoff powerhead when you do it and dont move it toomuch add actived carbon .
Have done, any problems in that way.

E_Aquatics · Oct 2, 2016

Looking to do the same on my 300gal.

Antics · Oct 2, 2016

The age of the tank and sandbed is most likely going to be the issue of concern. I would not remove all or even half of it at once if the tank is fairly mature. Why risk it? Simply remove 10% or so with every water change until you remove the amount you're aiming for.

Could you do it all at once, or 50% as you suggest? Maybe. But I think patience would be more valuable than making an immediate transition to bare bottom. As for long term effects of going bare bottom, as long as the transition is gradual I don't see how you could have an issue as long as all other parameters and general tank health/husbandry is good.

bios · Oct 2, 2016

The problem is how deep is the sandbed if more then 6 cm better to remove all in one time

Tyreef2016 · Oct 2, 2016

Antics said:
The age of the tank and sandbed is most likely going to be the issue of concern. I would not remove all or even half of it at once if the tank is fairly mature. Why risk it? Simply remove 10% or so with every water change until you remove the amount you're aiming for.

Could you do it all at once, or 50% as you suggest? Maybe. But I think patience would be more valuable than making an immediate transition to bare bottom. As for long term effects of going bare bottom, as long as the transition is gradual I don't see how you could have an issue as long as all other parameters and general tank health/husbandry is good.

bios said:
The problem is how deep is the sandbed if more then 6 cm better to remove all in one time

The Tank is about a year old. sand bed was an even 2'' before my BSJF moved it everywhere.
Also from everything above i've gathered just remove slowly not to much at once to my desired amount? Also I run chemi-pure elite already.