Want to replace sand...Need some advice...

[JSimmons]

I have an establish tank that's about 8-9 yrs old... Acquired it from a friend that did a good job of creating it...Added a few things here and there...The sand in it now has a lot of little tentacle like worms that come out and feel around...Kinda seem like a nuisance but not sure...I'd like to replace all the sand with new and to my liking, maybe a different grain and color.(white currently)..Has anyone replaced the sand in their tank before...? If so, did it cause any issues with the balance of life in the tank...? I'm gonna wait till I move to do this...as long as it won't cause major issues with the balance...Any ideas and feedback would be great...!!! Thanks...!!! Sorry for the dirty tank, I've been slacking on the cleaning...Need to catch up...!

 

[KJ]

How often do you do water changes? The safest way Is to just remove small portions at a time.If you doing water changes once a week maybe siphon out a third of It this week a third of it next week.When your ready to add the new sand this can be added all at once. Just make sure to rinse it thoroughly before you do so .KJ

 

[JSimmons]

Normally every 2-3 weeks, 10 gals a change...So you don't think getting rid of the old sand, 1/3 each week or so and then adding all the new sand at once, wouldn't have any affect on the chemical balance of things in the tank...? What do you rinse it with...? Just pure clean rodi water or a salt mix water...and how...? Just soaking in the water for a period of time...? Over night or days...?

 

[Rjramos]

You said, you wanted to do this when you moved the tank? If so, and it can wait, I would remove the sand then. Break down the tank removing all the livestock and rocks to plastic bins. Remove all the sand and discard. Restart the tank and keep the tank bare bottom removing all detritus accumulated during water changes until the tank stabilizes again. Give it a couple of weeks to a month, then add new sand.

 

[kv69]

I did it just like rjramos said, but I never put any sand back in. My tanks are healthier than they have ever been... I may never use sand again, my reasoning is, sand is just a massive detritus trap, that feeds nitrates and phosphates. My 2Cents... Good luck!

 

[Rjramos]

I did it just like rjramos said, but I never put any sand back in. My tanks are healthier than they have ever been... I may never use sand again, my reasoning is, sand is just a massive detritus trap, that feeds nitrates and phosphates. My 2Cents... Good luck!

I agree too and the reason I keep my 1/2"-1" of sand is purely aesthetically. I just like the transition between live rock and sand. Biological benefit may be there initially but over time it becomes a nutrient sink. I replace the little bit of sand as soon as I see cyano or any algae film growing on it. Usually about every 2 years.

 

[JSimmons]

If I wait till I move and break down the tank and remove all sand, then go bare bottom, I'll have ALOT of issues with keeping the 2 LG rocks from tipping over and falling against the glass...not sure how they would balance on a perfectly flat bottom...The center piece is balanced and wedged between the two bigger rocks...and if I could somehow do this, how would I put the sand in the tank with water in it without creating a cloudy tank from debris floating everywhere...?