DSB

[cmpowell]

I'm getting ready to start my dsb.after i take all my critters and lr out do i need to leave some water in the tank or put the sand in then put the water back

 

[ruaround]

I would leave between 1/3 to 1/2 the water. just my .02...thats what i did.

 

[nm reef]

The first time I went through adding sand I created a cloudy mess and that was with about 1/2 the water left in. It cleared over night with the help of a couple of mechanical filters. By morning I was able to return all the live rock and livestock. If I had to do it over again I'd just be more careful to not create as much disturbance. It will take time but you'll like the improvement.

 

[beth]

I really didn't have a problem getting sand in. I added SWF.com Fla Keys sand after setting up. It was cloudy for a day, then settled.
If you use a funnel system, it should significantly reduce the cloudy water problem. PVC pipe with funnel and pour the sand in placing the other end of pvc at the bottom of tank.
I only had PHs going, though, so none of the floating sand went thru filters.

 

[kelly]

I just changed mine over to a DSB 2 weeks ago. I took everything out, cleaned the tank, rinsed the sand(I used Southdown) and put the sand in. Then I covered the sand with aluminum foil. I put some small rocks on top of the foil to keep it in place, and then added the water(at the proper temp). Once 3/4 full I removed the foil, and then added the live rock. It really keeps the cloudiness down.
note: the tank will stay fairly clear as long as the water does not disturb the sand, so where the foil overlaps, and along the edges, make sure it is held down well with rocks.

 

[ed r]

There are some other threads active at the moment concerning DSB and converting them. Search for those and read them. I recommend reading the method suggested in this link called "Sandbed Swap". I used it last Saturday.
<a href="http://fishwhisperer.homestead.com/articles.html" target="_blank">http://fishwhisperer.homestead.com/articles.html</a>