Changing Sand In An Established Reef

[DragonGoby]

Hi all,

I've decided to change my 7" no.3 sand to grade 0 sand ... any idea how to go about doing it with minimal disruption to the denitrification process? Was thinking of demolishing the entire tank - drain out water, remove LR and old sand, and place corals in a temporary tank. But the new cycling process would take weeks, won't it? Unless I seed the new sand with some of the old?

[pospeh]

Its not going to be easy.

By replacing the sand, you will essentially be starting over in terms of cycling, and you need to tear out your rockwork too.

There is not way that I know of to avoid a new cycle.

[dodo]

quite a hazzle....

[ai[k²]wan]

since grade 3 sand are quite big, y not change the sand bed part by part?

[joolye]

Well, me not so sure But when I move my old tank, I slowly take out half out the sand and put inside my sump! the other half was being wash and added new sand. After 2 days, I put in all my fishes, its works without any problem. Thats abt 10mths already! BTW the old sand in the sump was cleared before I added the sand from the main tank.

[FuEl]

Pour the grade 0 sand on top of the grade 3 sand. DONE!

[oceanics]

I managed to change from coral chip to '0' sand by take away 1/2 the coral chip & put in #0 sand, let it cycle for 2 weeks, if nothing goes wrong, continue the other half...prepare to have a sand storm

[spicyball]

so can just add the sand over existing sand??..won't the water get super cloudy after that??..just wondering..

[[P]owder Blue]

Wash your new sand thoroughly and the prophecy will not come true.