Rock vs Sand

[Salty-Noob]

I have rock and would like sand, how do I go about changing it?

Is it recommended?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Your substrate is rock? Big rock? Up to you, If garbage gets stuck in it, you might run into trouble with it. If its thin big rock, may be better jsut to keep it, almost like running a Bare Bottom tank.

 

[Salty-Noob]

What do you mean a bare bottom tank?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Some run Bare Bottom Tanks, meaning they don't have any substrate.

 

[harley]

what "rock" substrate?
how old is it?

 

[Salty-Noob]

So it's better to just leave and not change it?

 

[CoryC]

Like rock pebbles from a freshwater tank? bad news bears. SOme people have luck w bare bottom larger size tanks but i havent.

 

[Salty-Noob]

Somewhat but it's live rock? I have that instead of sand

 

[Salty-Noob]

Yes substrate

 

[Reefing Madness]

Detrius will get down under the rock and remain there, causing Nitrate issues down the road. I'd change it out. If we are talkng about Live Rock Rubble, if we are talking about Rock by the pound and not crunched up pebbles. Pebbles= issues.

 

[Salty-Noob]

Can I change it and not have any issues with the fish, live rock, coral etc?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Probably not, if theres alot of junk stuck under there it will start a mini cycle, shouldn't be to bad, all depends on the severity of the debre.

 

[Salty-Noob]

I don't think I have any problems with the tank the fish seem alive and swim around the tank? I would just like sand after hearing its prob a better choice

 

[Reefing Madness]

Better to do it now then, before your tank matures. You could always move the fish and inverts to a bucket of the tank water, do your thing, then move them back.

 

[Salty-Noob]

Now do I take out all the water to do the change out and add new water or just take out all the live rock and pebbles out by hand leave the water that's in there? Or pretty much start fresh?

 

[CoryC]

i'd change it in sections. whenever i change a sand bed i do about 1/4 of it at a time. take some out replace w sand and then do a good water change and test your levels after a day or so to make sure you didnt have a large rise.

 

[Salty-Noob]

So take some out add sand
Change some water out
Check levels in water
When do I go for the second change

 

[Salty-Noob]

Better to do it now then, before your tank matures. You could always move the fish and inverts to a bucket of the tank water, do your thing, then move them back.

Madness by doing this can I change it all out in one shot

 

[twintrades]

Mix up some new water to add back to the tank tho. Always a good thing to have this on hand... What size tank is it?

 

[Salty-Noob]

It's a 35-40g bio cube