advice please.....

[ldb007]

I have crushed coral and keep seeing how horrible it apparently is. What would some of you recommend, and if I change it, how do I do it? I already have so much in there but I have to be honest, its a PAIN to clean with those tube things, the poop barely goes up the drain lol. Would I have to take all my fish and rock out to do the change? Some advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[earlybird]

I think some people actually add sand to the top of the cc. Do a search for crushed coral.

 

[joker_ca]

what ever you do its going to be a pain. i would syphon out sections of the CC and then replace it with sand i wouldnt take out the fish.

 

[ldb007]

Thanks, where is reef when ya need him? LOL

 

[reefkprz]

Gotta sleep sometime. putting sand over cc doesnt work good the CC always rises to the top. scooping it out is pretty much the only option. I would take everything and put it into buckets, then scoop out all the CC do a massive water change and put everything back after the new sand has settled, If your going to put the animals back in your gonna want to go with 100% live sand this will help reduce any cycle you'll have. your also gonna want to make sure your sand bed is deep enough I reccomend over 3" so you get the deep sand bed effect. you'll be happy to know once you do that you will have to do no more gravel siphoning.

 

[ldb007]

There he is!! Ok well if I do that, how would I clean the sand? Also, do you think its worth me even doing it???

 

[reefkprz]

with over a three inch sand bed and the right critters and flow it cleans itself. I definatly think its worth doing. not only do I think it looks better but its far easier to maintain, and helps reduce nitrates between waterchanges.

 

[ldb007]

You're awesome! Any advice on the kind to get? Also, you said to put all my critters in buckets? What about my live rock, should I put that in buckets too?

 

[ldb007]

Oh yeah, how many pounds do you think I should get for a 55 gal.?

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by ldb007
You're awesome! Any advice on the kind to get? Also, you said to put all my critters in buckets? What about my live rock, should I put that in buckets too?
putting the LR in buckets or water will make it easier to get out all the CC. same thing with your critters a small powerhead and a heater in the bucket will keep them warm and aerated while you do the work to the tank. as for how much sand to get for just over a 3" sand bed you need about 82 pounds. (81.67lbs to be exact for a 3.5inch sand bed)

 

[ldb007]

Thanks so much, I can always count on you!! I'll let you know how it all works out!!

 

[reefkprz]

your welcome. Oh I almost forgot I like carib sea aragalive, its not as good as the bag says but it is good.

 

[ldb007]

ok, 1 more thing. I did a water change today because you know....levels of nitrites are STILL high, but anways I'm going to buy the sand tonight, do you recommend me waiting till my next water change to do it or does it matter? Maybe the sand and a few more rocks will help. All my fish are still doing great, no prolmesn yet (knock on wood) I just don't want to keep freaking them out with all these changes lol!!!!

 

[reefkprz]

The sooner the better, aragalive loses vitality in the bag (be sure to check the sell by dates on the bags the further from the buy before date the better) and I would rather freak my fish out a little that to have them exposed to high bad levels for longer. (at this rate your spending a lot of time in your tank your fish are actually getting used to you being there most fish eventually realize your not a threat, my LMB actually perches on my hand when I'm in the tank)

 

[ldb007]

Hahaha, yeah actually as soon as I go over to the tank they come and say hi or they think I'm going to feed them, who knows, its cute though!!! I'll check the dates on the bag and take care if it ASAP!!