Moving tanks. Replace sand bed or keep it?

[cginter]

I'm moving two tanks. A 125 fish only and a 60g reef about 30 mins away. This will be my first move with the tanks. I've read that some people keep their sand bed And leave it untouched as possible and others that keep, rinse and reuse their sand, and others that say I must use new live sand. But I haven't heard of anyone's outcomes (success or horror story's). Any advice on what to do and why would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[powdermonkey]

IMO, New sand is the easiest. Not live sand just dry. You will have plenty going on to worry about washing or disturbing the original bed.

 

[Mike J.]

I've moved a tank about the same distance. I removed everything except the sand and a tiny bit of water. Moved it, filled it back up - not a single loss. Actually did that twice with the same tank over the years.

 

[JMSKI333]

I just watched a BRS youtube video about moving tanks today and they said just ditch the old sand and get new sand. +1 from me on new sand.\

Edit: Maybe keep a couple handfuls of the old stuff to seed the new stuff.

 

[chefb_5]

I have moved the same dis and left sand in tank with a little water. I didn't have any problems, so I think it's up to you! If your sand hasn't been giving you problems then no need right.

 

[powdermonkey]

How long have the tanks been running?

 

[TJ's Reef]

I've always been in question to those that throw out such an important part of their biological filtration and bio-diversity. Unless it was a Cesspool or medicated with copper. I have moved/upgraded my SW/Reef Tanks many times and have always kept/reused sand substrate. A few times have done same as above in just leaving at bottom with a touch of water. Mostly I have removed all Livestock then Live Rock and vacuumed entire sandbed very well while removing remaining old water. I do this to keep most all the abundant life present within substrate. My last upgrade placed all cleaned 15+ year old substrate into my refugium and then new/unused material into Display.

Cheers, Todd

 

[cginter]

I've always been in question to those that throw out such an important part of their biological filtration and bio-diversity. Unless it was a Cesspool or medicated with copper. I have moved/upgraded my SW/Reef Tanks many times and have always kept/reused sand substrate. A few times have done same as above in just leaving at bottom with a touch of water. Mostly I have removed all Livestock then Live Rock and vacuumed entire sandbed very well while removing remaining old water. I do this to keep most all the abundant life present within substrate. My last upgrade placed all cleaned 15+ year old substrate into my refugium and then new/unused material into Display.

Cheers, Todd

That's what I was thinking. It's was all live sand when I bought it and there hasn't been any problems. The tanks have been running for about 1.5 years My plan is to remove all the fish and rock then siphon what I can to remove the unwanted waste. Maybe add some new live sand to boost why I have...