Changing out cc for sand?

[namas05]

I have been thinking alot about chnging over to sand in my 45 reef.
but am not sure how to go about it.
Will i destroy all the hard work getting the tank in check if I pull out the cc and put in sand?
And is the tank going to cycle again killing all my fish and corals?
Is it better to do a little at a time, and if so how do you keep the sand and cc seperated so they don't get mixed up?
Any and all advice will be helpful.

 

[sagxman]

If you put in live sand you might have a cycle. I would put your fish in a QT.

 

[namas05]

And if I don't use live sand will I still have a cycle?
And if not can you recommend a good dead sand.
Should it be cured like live rock?

 

[namas05]

Doesn't any one have advice on this?

 

[turningtim]

Do a search on CC to sand. More info then you can handle. I've done it in a day with dry sand and a bag of LS. No Cycle no issues.....
HTH
Tim

 

[badoleross]

I would imagine that disturbing the CC substrate is going to release a high amount of nitrates into the water. If its a FOWLR tank its not as big of an issue as it would be with corals or inverts. In a FOWLR tank I woud remove LR and put in in a holding tank (trashcan w/saltwater), remove the fish and as much water as possible. Then remove the CC, add the well rinsed sand, place a trashbag over the sandbed to protect it and add the water back to the tank. When about 1/2 full I would add the LR back in. When filled with water, let it run and clear up and add the fish back in. You might see a small cycle but I dont think it wil be anything to worry about. Reuse as muchof the original water as possible. IMO!