adding different substrate over sand?

[Drewdude]

Im having trouble getting my substrate cleaned.. it seems every time i vaccum i just suck i a bunch of sand with all the stuff and the bottom but the sand clogs up the flow and i dont really get anything up.. im wondering if i should put some crushed coral on top of the sand to make it easier?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im having trouble getting my substrate cleaned.. it seems every time i vaccum i just suck i a bunch of sand with all the stuff and the bottom but the sand clogs up the flow and i dont really get anything up.. im wondering if i should put some crushed coral on top of the sand to make it easier?

Crushed coral and sand may create a cloudy mess. Simply add a coarse sand as those by Carib Sea

 

[Drewdude]

Crushed coral and sand may create a cloudy mess. Simply add a coarse sand as those by Carib Sea

should i removed all my old sand first ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

should i removed all my old sand first ?

It has beneficial bacteria which will feed new sand. Place it over the top and then when you siphon, it will blend/mix

 

[Drewdude]

It has beneficial bacteria which will feed new sand. Place it over the top and then when you siphon, it will blend/mixi

so i have caribsee live sand already it looks like its bahamas oolite i dunno if thats what u were suggesting.

also would it be wise to put my fish into a bucket temporarily while i siphon out most of the water to put the coarser sand down?

 

[vetteguy53081]

so i have caribsee live sand already it looks like its bahamas oolite i dunno if thats what u were suggesting.

also would it be wise to put my fish into a bucket temporarily while i siphon out most of the water to put the coarser sand down?

Unless youre expecting a mess, no reason to remove fish but would not hurt.