I want to remove sand

[Jerzyray]

i'd like to remove the sand from my reef tank.I'd appreciate any advice on this. Thanks,
my tank>>

1.The tank is 1 year old,
2.50gal. sca cube with sump
3.reef octopus skimer
4.marin pure block
5.2lf reactor when needed
6.My parameter's are all @ zero. i just got my rates to zero last week

 

[Diesel]

Well, start sucking it out with a hose, replace water with new.
Sometimes you have to do it in a few times as you don't want to remove it all in once.

 

[Dr.Xipoles]

Use a net; the one you use to catch your fish. Worked well when i went bare bottom on one of my tanks.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I'd recomend the siphon over the net personally. Net I would feel would stir up some gunk. Just my personal preference though. I'm in the process myself. Just doing a little bit every water change. Noooooo rush.

 

[dmw913]

+1 for sucking out some with each water change via siphon. Takes detritus with it and goes in stages to avoid contamination.

 

[reefwiser]

Just did this on my tank expect to have a cyano outbreak after doing it. You will have a nutrient issue and will spend sometime cleaning that up. My tank is just now getting to the point after two months where I can slowly reintroduce corals that have been in my QT back into my display tank.

 

[cincyreef]

I just did this in my tank as well. I hate the look of a bare bottom tank, but I was having nutrient issues so decided to remove the sand. I siphoned it out slowly during each water change over a month or two.

 

[Jerzyray]

Just did this on my tank expect to have a cyano outbreak after doing it. You will have a nutrient issue and will spend sometime cleaning that up. My tank is just now getting to the point after two months where I can slowly reintroduce corals that have been in my QT back into my display tank.

yes that is my biggest cousern

Just did this on my tank expect to have a cyano outbreak after doing it. You will have a nutrient issue and will spend sometime cleaning that up. My tank is just now getting to the point after two months where I can slowly reintroduce corals that have been in my QT back into my display tank.

i see, that is my biggest concern. i did just get my nitrates under control. So maybe ill wait an see if my nitrate come back be for removing the sand bed.

 

[Jerzyray]

Well, start sucking it out with a hose, replace water with new.
Sometimes you have to do it in a few times as you don't want to remove it all in once.

good idea, so with each water change i will remove some of the sand and go slow.

 

[Diesel]

good idea, so with each water change i will remove some of the sand and go slow.

Yes sir.
In that case your existing eco balance has time to adjust as you will take a way a import part of the ecosystem in your tank.

 

[Jerzyray]

Yes sir.
In that case your existing eco balance has time to adjust as you will take a way a import part of the ecosystem in your tank.

Thanks for the advice, i do have a lot of media in my sump as well, So that should help balance it out a little as i go,

 

[Diesel]

Awesome my friend.
Keep us updated on this and show us before and after pics.
This can be helpful to a lot of hobbyist, great thread!

 

[Jerzyray]

Awesome my friend.
Keep us updated on this and show us before and after pics.
This can be helpful to a lot of hobbyist, great thread!

I will, trying to link my FB to R2R for easy pic upload

 

[Grey Guy]

I've switched between sand and BB several times. Remove everything from the tank and just get it all out, if your in a hurry. Otherwise, the syphon will get it all eventually, but it will keep showing up for a long time.