coral to sand?

[radiolotek]

I wasn't sure where to post this so this seemed like a good place to start. I want to take the crushed coral out of a tank and replace it with fiji pink sand. What is a good way to harvest the little critters out of the coral back into the sand.

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by Radiolotek
I wasn't sure where to post this so this seemed like a good place to start. I want to take the crushed coral out of a tank and replace it with fiji pink sand. What is a good way to harvest the little critters out of the coral back into the sand.
Why don't you do small part at a time instead of taking out everything all at once? Do you have any inhabitants? There was someone that did this, he changed everything to sand, but not sure if he had any problems or not....I think it was Scotts? I think he used a bag with the CC in it and place it on the sandbed. I still would be afraid to change everything all at once though.... :happyfish

 

[hot883]

Radio, I changed everything at once. If you do a little at a time you risk stirring up all the built up nitates and ammonia will spike. It is a labor of love for sure. I emptied everything out of my 55, saved the water, scooped out the cc and put in the LS. Replaced the water with a little I had pre-mixed and then everything else went back in. I did not loose anything and did not experience a cycle. There are several threads on here on exactly how it was done. Good luck and wise decision.

 

[james983]

When I did it, I changed everthing over early in my cycle. So the tank completed it's cycle and setteled down in 3 weeks. How old is your tank? Do you have fish? If you do, you may lose them unless they are damsels. It's a major overhaul, but I'm very happy I did it when I did. Use a large fish net to remove your CC. Forget about trying to save whatever critters are in there. Get a small amount of live sand from another seasoned tank and add thet to the top of your new sand. The more the better. You will have to test the water daily to see if it cycles before adding livestock. Good luck.

 

[pfitz44]

I just changed mine. Actualy put in pink fuji sand. Canit believe the difference.... the fish cant either!! def do it... look for my post the swtich.. step-by-step instructions

 

[mikeyjer]

I would still be afraid to change everything out all at once....I would still do it a little at a time. It won't stir up anything if you just siphon it up during a water change, one spot at a time, that's JMO.... :happyfish

 

[radiolotek]

Yeah I don't want anything to die. I have a blue velvet damsel, a clown trigger, a cardnal, and 1 percula clown. I just raly don't like the look of the cc. I like the sand bed look much beter, especialy since its going into the frontroom. It has been up and running for 3 to 4 years I do belive. You think if I switched to the sand it would cycle again after being up for so long. If I have to live with cc to spare the fish I will I just don't like it. Lol . Damn fish live better than I do.

 

[pfitz44]

Originally Posted by Mikeyjer
I would still be afraid to change everything out all at once....I would still do it a little at a time. It won't stir up anything if you just siphon it up during a water change, one spot at a time, that's JMO.... :happyfish
If you siphon a little bit at a time, your nitrates will go threw the roof from all the stuff that is trapped in the CC.

 

[cmiles]

I Changed To Sand A Few Months Ago All At One Time. I Took Everything Out Including The Water, And Let Me Tell You I Got The Best Tip Off Here. Depending On The Size Of The Tank I Guess. But A Dust Pan Worked Great For Removing The Cc From The Bottom. After I Cleaned Everything Out And Replaced With Sand I Put The Water Back With A Little Extra Premixed Water, And Got The Filters And All Going To, Because I Had A Little Cloudiness, Not Bad Though. Shortly After That I Added Critters Back, And No Problems, No Losses. It Took A Whole Day But Well Worth The Effort, You Will Be So Glad You Decided To Change.

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by PFitz44
If you siphon a little bit at a time, your nitrates will go threw the roof from all the stuff that is trapped in the CC.
With CC, you should be siphoning it during every water change anyway. Why would you get the nitrate out if you do it little at a time? You will be siphoning it out, not scooping it out. For me, I rather not do it all at once. I rather be on the safe side.... :happyfish