Changing Sand???

codylowe

codylowe

Member
How would i go about removing fine grade sand from my 110g reef tank?
I want to put a larger substrate in there. I plan on using the PVC pipe trick to add the new sand but i don't know how i can get most of the fine grade sand out without breaking down the tank. Any suggestions?
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
i've used a basic aquarium fish net and scooped up net-fulls at a time.
how much sand is in there? you know if you add larger substrate on top of the fine sand, the fine sand will stay on the bottom.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
I have about 120lbs in there... I want to just scoop out/get rid of the sand in the front. I think the sand my be too fine to scoop out with a regular fish net. I have a **small** brine shrimp net, but way too small to be feasible.
I would really like to get rid of most of it rather than just putting the new stuff on top.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
What problems are you having with your current sandbed? I have very fine sand I think is actually classified as silt and maybe could help solve your issues without having to do major construction on your tank. Also give me some details on your system as far as depth of sandbed and size of tank.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
The sand is starting to clump into hard pieces in the front and turning a dark brown. It is also catches alot of small air bubbles and is just starting to look bad.
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2573594
What problems are you having with your current sandbed? I have very fine sand I think is actually classified as silt and maybe could help solve your issues without having to do major construction on your tank. Also give me some details on your system as far as depth of sandbed and size of tank.
It's a 110g w/ 120lbs of sand in there.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
Originally Posted by codylowe
http:///forum/post/2573598
The sand is starting to clump into hard pieces in the front and turning a dark brown. It is also catches alot of small air bubbles and is just starting to look bad.
that's not the sand's fault. any sand will do that. it's a diatom or cyano problem. most likely the latter. is this tank new?
 
codylowe

codylowe

Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2573753
that's not the sand's fault. any sand will do that. it's a diatom or cyano problem. most likely the latter. is this tank new?
Negative... I've this tank running for about 6 months or so. I had a 44g before and used the thicker substrate and also have it in my Nano - which i like a lot more. It is not a cyano problem or diatoms; I have really not seen anything like it....
Regardless, I still want this sand out and want to replace it with the thicker substrate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top