Sand bed- to transfer or not to transfer

Reef Fever · Jul 23, 2013

So any day now my new tank will be arriving.. I have done transfers quite a few times. Typically I have just gotten completely new live sand.

However, since I am moving up to twice the water volume I currently have, my question is:
Should I transfer my current shallow sand bed and just add some new bags of live sand to the new tank, or just do all new.

By shallow I mean 1-2"

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

Eckolancer · Jul 23, 2013

Go sandless I love it that way.

Sent from inside the shark tank!

kacrocorals581 · Jul 23, 2013

Just use some of the old sand to seed the new bed I've never use all the old for a new tank to much nasty stuff down there

Zero Nitrates · Jul 23, 2013

Transfer it and add some to it.

Blake11rebel · Jul 23, 2013

I agree withkacrocorals except I would still use the old sand but cleaned. Idk why people are so against using old sand. All you have to do is rinse the sand out till it flows clear. I know you will loose some of the bacteria that way but it seems like a waste of money unless you want a different grain or color

shred5 · Jul 23, 2013

kacrocorals581 said:
Just use some of the old sand to seed the new bed I've never use all the old for a new tank to much nasty stuff down there

I agree with this...

Bjohn · Jul 23, 2013

Ya I'd clean it. I moved my tank 2 months ago, and had to drain it. Took almost 2 days for all the stuff to clear out of the water from detritus stuck in the sand. I was quite fortunate I didn't lose anything.

Mrfresh · Jul 23, 2013

Yes but no. Lol

Transfer the sand but ur losing everything in it anyways so clean the heck out of it,
Also that would be the best time to add more sand if u want...

I think there should be a few more options in there:
Transfer all old sand only
Transfer old sand and clean it
Transfer old sand and add new sand with it
Only use new sand, trash the old...

Just my thoughts

Bjohn · Jul 23, 2013

Mrfresh said:
Yes but no. Lol

Transfer the sand but ur losing everything in it anyways so clean the heck out of it,
Also that would be the best time to add more sand if u want...

I think there should be a few more options in there:
Transfer all old sand only
Transfer old sand and clean it
Transfer old sand and add new sand with it
Only use new sand, trash the old...

Just my thoughts

+1!

pickupman66 · Jul 23, 2013

depends on how old the sand is. I would not re-use sand after a move unless it has been washed just because stirring up any yuck in there can and will lead to a crash. anything over a year I would either use new sand and move just a little to seed it or wash all the old sand if you have time to save $.

sredzins · Jul 23, 2013

I would use some to seed but for the majority I would get new. But as for just moving... I've done several moves with the same sand bed and never once had a crash. My sand is not super deep and is vacuumed at every weekly water change.

Reefing Madness · Jul 23, 2013

Ive tranferred all my old sand before, twice. Never had a problem, and its crushed coral. Just rinse it out really well, no problem.

Eckolancer · Jul 23, 2013

If you decide to keep sand you need to rinse w very well and dry in the sun to kill everything in it.

Sent from inside the shark tank!

Reef Fever · Jul 23, 2013

It's sugar fine..I'm leaning towards all new live sand. I don't see the point in using a small amount of the old stuff to seed the new since both will be live

All the old sand wouldn't be enough for the new tank so that can't be an option.

Bare bottoms not an option btw! Lol

Genesis Corals · Jul 23, 2013

I would just stir up a small section a day for the next week or two and allow your current tank and skimmer handle what gets stirred up. Then when you go to transfer it, it shouldn't be that bad. I do this in my tank from time to keep the sandbed stirred and fresh.