Problem I need help with

[MbmC]

Can anyone suggest how I can move sand from one tank to another?

Scenario is this. I'm setting up a new tank at my new place, while still keeping my old tanks. I will start cycling the new tank first and only move my corals and fish over when the tank and water are ready. I'd like to use the sand in my current tank in the new tank.

But how would I remove the sand from the old tank, while keeping the fish still in the current tank? Disturbing the sand bed will probably cause such a high nitrate spike all my LS will perish...

Is it just safer to use new live sand, and discard the old sand?

Cheers

[Solo77]

IMO, i will use new sand if budget allows. To recycle without tearing down the rockscaping seems rather hard. Maybe buy less new sand and subsequently make up the balance by recycling the old sand after all the shifting/transferring. Maybe some experienced reefers can share their good experience. : )

[cdckjn]

Use new sand in new tank, scoop a few scoops of old sand from current tank to "seed" the new sand in new tank, this way you can speed up the process of cycling.

[MbmC]

Would use live sand in any case, so cycling of the new tank shouldn't be a problem.

Reasons for using back my old sand. Budget is of course a concern, but apparently, black live sand is now out of stock for the next 2 months!! Aquamarin is completely out of it, they do have white sand, which isn't quite my choice

[[V]tEc]

there's a way but more troublesome.....if ur tank is not very big can try....remove rocks n ls from tank. remove n keep water in container. remove sand,remove remaining water....pour back water with some newly mixed.... check for no3. if nothing wrong, put back ur ls n rocks....should be quite safe if i m not wrong.

[peacemaker]

...apparently, black live sand is now out of stock for the next 2 months!!

Dang... just when I thought of switching...

[MbmC]

there's a way but more troublesome.....if ur tank is not very big can try....remove rocks n ls from tank. remove n keep water in container. remove sand,remove remaining water....pour back water with some newly mixed.... check for no3. if nothing wrong, put back ur ls n rocks....should be quite safe if i m not wrong.

Darn tedious.

Had a word with Henry, he suggests using a large enough water hose to siphon out the sand bit by bit. Seems he's done that before for tanks and that didn't stir it up too much. He's pretty sure that the LS would survive the stress and there wouldn't too much of a nitrate spike...

[MachoMarlin]

Darn tedious.

Had a word with Henry, he suggests using a large enough water hose to siphon out the sand bit by bit. Seems he's done that before for tanks and that didn't stir it up too much. He's pretty sure that the LS would survive the stress and there wouldn't too much of a nitrate spike...

I did encounter LS itching whenever the sand is stirred, as what Henry mentioned, siphoning the sand will minimise the stirring of the sand is probably the best way, at the same time you will be able to use some of the live sand to set up your new tank.