Changing substrate

jjen8400

jjen8400

New Member
I currently have a 30 gal bowfront tank with crushed coral. The crushed coral has been nothing but problems I want to change it to sand. My current plan was to change out about 1/4 of it over a period of a few weeks so I don't upset the bio load. I didn't realize however I purchased Nature's ocean marine white sand that is not a live sand. Will this sand just cause a recycle or other problems? I do have some live rock and some live rock with polyps on it, will these be able to reseed the sand? Can I just change out 99% of the cc at once and add something like microbe-lift to help with the bio load? or buy 1 bag of live sand and mix it in? Or should I just return the sand and swap it for live? any opinion will be appreciated thanks!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjen8400 http:///t/387886/changing-substrate#post_3416464
I currently have a 30 gal bowfront tank with crushed coral. The crushed coral has been nothing but problems I want to change it to sand. My current plan was to change out about 1/4 of it over a period of a few weeks so I don't upset the bio load. I didn't realize however I purchased Nature's ocean marine white sand that is not a live sand. Will this sand just cause a recycle or other problems? I do have some live rock and some live rock with polyps on it, will these be able to reseed the sand? Can I just change out 99% of the cc at once and add something like microbe-lift to help with the bio load? or buy 1 bag of live sand and mix it in? Or should I just return the sand and swap it for live? any opinion will be appreciated thanks!
Welcome to the site.
Any of the solutions you mentioned would work. It's a pain to swap out cc, and everyone that starts with it changes it...at least it seams that way...Why do you want to mess with it?
If the substrate you have, has been undisturbed for some time, then messing with it could cause problems. Toxins could be below the surface. So before you begin, make sure you run some carbon and have plenty of water made up and ready for a water change. If it makes a cloud you have a problem. if your tank is new or you have had the cc sifted and moved by critters, you are fine.
I personally would exchange the dry sand for live sand, because the dry really kicks up it's own dust no matter how much you rinse it. The live sand wont be as bad.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
one thing you can do, it take some of your crushed coral, place it in media bags, and just lay them on top of the dry sand. leave them for a few weeks to seed you new sand.
Be sure to rinse your dry sand good before placing it in your tank, this will help keep dust down.
Run an extra filter if you have one with filter pad to catch any silt. Have extra water on hand to do water changes if needed.
T
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///t/387886/changing-substrate#post_3417063
one thing you can do, it take some of your crushed coral, place it in media bags, and just lay them on top of the dry sand. leave them for a few weeks to seed you new sand.
Be sure to rinse your dry sand good before placing it in your tank, this will help keep dust down.
Run an extra filter if you have one with filter pad to catch any silt. Have extra water on hand to do water changes if needed.
T
The mesh bags are an awesome idea...you're so smart..
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
How so ,I personally run a tank with about 90% CC over the last 10 years without a problem
Quote:
The crushed coral has been nothing but problems how
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i ran tanks with cc for 15 years and no problems.i never had nitrate issues.the down side is there are fish who like to burrow.just use the syphon to clean the cc once a month.also why do you need to get live sand? if you have lr in the tank ?waste of money imo.
get a 1/2 inch tube and when you do a water change suck some cc out .might take a few water changes but easy enough
 
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