Big Question (OK three questions)

[BIGBIRD123]

What would be the procedure and the problems with removing and redoing my sand bed in my 135g? What should I do and expect? What would you recommend?

Steve

[Reef69]

you mean teraing down your tank?..or just the sand out?

[GaryP]

I guess the main question is what is the purpose of replacing it?

[BIGBIRD123]

I'm going to re-aquascape my rocks to accomodate more SPS. I'm taking about 50# out to put in my 75g because I have too much in the 135g. So, I figured that since I had everything out, I would change out the 6 yr old sand-bed. I believe it is spent.

[::pete::]

Replenish it ... we can all give up a lil' sand.

[GaryP]

Just save your water and then suck out the sand with a wet dry vac or shovel it out with a dust pan. Keep 10% of the old sand to seed your new sand bed.

[BIGBIRD123]

Does that mean to add more sand to it. If so, what is the best way. It's kinda thin and I'd like for it to be deeper.

[BIGBIRD123]

Sorry Gary, I was typing while your were posting.

[::pete::]

Pour the new down a PVC pipe with your circulation turned off.

[GaryP]

Adding fresh sand is another option. What kind of sand you have?

[BIGBIRD123]

I've got Southdown but I'm gonna get a little courser (sp) sand for the top to keep from blowing the SD all over the place. I figure when Tim upgrades again I'll get a good deal on some Tunzes. LOL!

[GaryP]

Add some aragonite special grade. It's the 1-2 mm stuff.

Gary

[BIGBIRD123]

I should still save about 10% of the old sand to add back to the new?

[jlam]

You should probably keep only the first 1 inch of the top layer of the sand as well. Because the stuff that is deeper can be very toxic.
Jason

[GaryP]

Yes, if you are going to totally replace it. If not, just add the special grade on top of the old stuff. You'll probably find that the sand bed is a lot deeper than you think under the LR.

[BIGBIRD123]

I bought the tank from a guy a little over 2 yrs ago and he said it had been up for about 6 yrs. So there is no telling how old the bed is. I heard it is good to replace it after so long because it becomes spent and more toxic than good. Is this wrong or what? What kind of problems should I expect with a "new" bed?

[BIGBIRD123]

Oh, I almost forgot...

I don't want to hear about going BB...Joshua.

[BIGBIRD123]

All of mine carry little shovels, so they can dig themselves upright. LMAO!

[Tim Marvin]

One thing missed here. If you have any livestock in there and you are planning to leave it be ready to lose some. I would just remove a few cups at a time once a week.
CaribSea sells excellent substrates IMO I would go with some Seaflor or some crushed coral. You could also buy some rubble and smash it to the size you are interested in. If you are going to make your own find the least expensive base rock or dry rock you can and use that.

[BIGBIRD123]

I've got Southdown but I'm gonna get a little courser (sp) sand for the top to keep from blowing the SD all over the place. I figure when Tim upgrades again I'll get a good deal on some Tunzes. LOL!

Tim,
I hope you read this. :innocent ROFLMAO!

Steve

[Tim Marvin]

Oh, I'm sorry you have SD and no you can't have my Tunzes.

[BIGBIRD123]

Just a little frag of one? LOL!

[Tim Marvin]

I could probably scrap a little piece of the plastic for you.

[BIGBIRD123]

That's alright, just let me borrow them for a few weeks, so I can see if I like them.

[Tim Marvin]

Trust me you'd like them.