Changed out my CC!

nordy

nordy

Active Member
Well, I had my sand triple washed and ready to go for the last 2 weeks, just sitting next to the tank, mocking me. Had some free time last night so I drained about 15 gallons from my 55 gal tank into a bunch of buckets. Pulled my corals, all the snails I could reach, and about half of my LR and placed them into the buckets. Removed about 1/3 of the CC, placed the new sand into the tank, then moved the remaining LR onto the new sand. The water got really, really, cloudy and dirty but I kept my Magnum 350 going and changed out the micron cartridges 4 times during the changeover process. After completeing the new sand installation, placing the LR and corals back into the tank, and letting the filter run all night with another fresh cartridge, the tank cleared up by this morning. It looks like evrrybody survived the disruption-frogspawn, hammer coral, branch coral, mushrooms, snails, cleaner shrimp, and the fish. The tank is sooooo much better looking with the sand, I wish I had done this a long time ago! That CC was nasty, even though I used to stir it up regularly to filter out the bad stuff.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Yup, you will be happier with the sand. I did the CC when I first started..then changed over to sand 8 months later...It was a pain (I have a 130 gallon)but in the long run it was worth it.
Lets see a pic of the pretty sand.
 
sly

sly

Active Member
Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2580585
That CC was nasty, even though I used to stir it up regularly to filter out the bad stuff.
How deep was it in your tank and what kind of cleanup crew do you have?
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
Finally got around to taking some pics of my tank w/sand instead of CC. I purposly left some open territory at one end so I could take advantage of the sand bed and also to provide some change of scenery from left to right since the tank is so narrow that it's hard to get that reef look.
I appreciate any responses and/or suggestions on what you see!




 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2589151
Looks nice Nordy! Don't forget to add the sandshifters!

Thanks! I have heard about sandshifters, but can you educate me on just what they are?
BTW, hows that tank of yours that had the algae bloom? Looked pretty green!
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by Nordy http:///forum/post/2589454
Thanks! I have heard about sandshifters, but can you educate me on just what they are?
BTW, hows that tank of yours that had the algae bloom? Looked pretty green!
Well, sand shifters are critters that move the sand in your system around by burrowing through it, but don't eat everything on the way (like sand sifters (ie. most gobies) do). Nassarious, both regular and super Tongans are great for this, as are cerith snails, micro brittle stars, etc. I'm trying to learn more on this one myself; here's the thread
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/318415/sand-shifters-vs-sand-sifters-for-dsb
Tank with the grape caleupra that went sexual is looking much better, thanks for asking. I updated the thread last night ~ check it out
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/317670/oh-my-gawd-help-me-plz
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Put on a black or blue background to hide the chords and stuff. Put the plate coral in picture 4 (behind the Elegance) on the sand bed. Clean the glass.
Then enjoy what looks like it is going to be a beautiful reef setup. Can you share some plans with us on coral and fish stocking?
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
Well, for right now I would like to get those darn damsels (3 yellow guys) out of the tank and find them a good home but I'm not optimistic about being able to net them-anybody have any tips on how to do that?
Then maybe get just a couple of reef safe new fish. As for corals, I will be concentrating on making my current corals and LR look as attractive as possible and getting the glass cleaned up and looking nice before getting any more corals. But, I've said that before

My LFS has made some major additions to their tank setups with a couple of gigantic new tanks devoted exclusively to coralsand they have started stocking them with some sweet corals. I can't go in there without buying something for the tank!
 
drtito

drtito

Member
I am on the same boat as I too must change to sand from C.C. I am thinking black sand 4" bed.
So all you put in was sand no undergravel filter or support for your L.R. is that normal.
yes I am NEW.
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2589678
Well, for right now I would like to get those darn damsels (3 yellow guys) out of the tank and find them a good home but I'm not optimistic about being able to net them-anybody have any tips on how to do that?
Then maybe get just a couple of reef safe new fish. As for corals, I will be concentrating on making my current corals and LR look as attractive as possible and getting the glass cleaned up and looking nice before getting any more corals. But, I've said that before

My LFS has made some major additions to their tank setups with a couple of gigantic new tanks devoted exclusively to coralsand they have started stocking them with some sweet corals. I can't go in there without buying something for the tank!
If you check my DSB thread; it shows a simple picture of a DIY fish trap, very easy to construct, and I would think with the right bait, you should be able to capture even damsels with it ~ the key will be to find the right bait.
It is indeed a wallet draining hobby isn't it! It doesn't help either when the LFS does cheap frags, cause then you simply buy more cause their cheap
!
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by DrTITO
http:///forum/post/2589781
I am on the same boat as I too must change to sand from C.C. I am thinking black sand 4" bed.
So all you put in was sand no undergravel filter or support for your L.R. is that normal.
yes I am NEW.
No, either use base rock to build up from the bottom (or a layer of egg crate) and bury it beneath the sand. Undergravel filters are seldom used anymore in SW tanks
BTW, did you see my post in your thread in the corals forum on the grape caelupra?
 
sh00tist

sh00tist

Member
Great job on getting rid of that nasty CC,you will thank yourself everytime you dont have to clean it,I hope everyone comes through it ok. Sorry to hear about those damsels they are truly the devils work. The absolute best sure-fire method for removing them is to drain your tank. This may seem drastic but its quite simple and very effective. Get a big tub or trashcan,some 1/2 inch ID hose and a maxi jet. The maxi will drain 40 gallons in about 6 minutes,the corals will be fine exposed to the air for 10 minutes or actually much longer. You dont have to drain all the water just low enough that you can corner the little gremlins,a piece of plexi almost the depth of your tank will help alot to shorten your tank. Feel free to try out all the traps,nets and such,you may even have some luck 'fishing' for them with a small hook but when you want to finally rid yourself of them drain it.
 
sly

sly

Active Member
Originally Posted by sh00tist
http:///forum/post/2593042
Great job on getting rid of that nasty CC,you will thank yourself everytime you dont have to clean it,
This is completely inaccurate. If you only have a 1 inch CC depth and a healthy clean up crew then it will stay clean on its own. I've had a CC tank for 6 years and maintain 0 nitrates with only yearly water changes.
 
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