Half Done Conversion

[katfish]

Ok,I have a question.
I just changed 1/2 of my 1" argonite base over to a 5" DSB.
1. About how long should I wait to change the other half.
2. I am going to the LFS to pick up some "live" sand,How much should I get and stay on a budget?
90Gal FO
Prizm Skimmer
125 rated wet/dry with bio balls
AquaClear500
Hagen 802 powerhead in tank and sump
Hagen 402 in tank
Fish:
Yellow Tang
Picasso Trigger
3 Fiji Blue Devils
18" Snowflake

 

[mr . salty]

If you are NOT using live sand,you should wait at least a week or two.A large portion of your nitrafying bacteria live in the substrate.So you MUST give this new substrate(sand) a chance to build up bacteria before you remove the remaining "old"substrate.If too much bacteria is removed at once your tank will need to recycle to replace this removed bacteria.You could also put the old substrate into micron filter bags or cut off pantyhose feet,then set these bags into the tank on top of the new sand.This will also help to avoid a recycle.after a couple weeks,start slowly removing these bags......

 

[cyn]

As usual, Mr. Salty is right on. Even if you add live sand, I would do the old substrate in pantyhose scattered over the new stuff. This is exactly what I did and my tank did not re cycle. I changed out 1/3 of the cc at a time and put some each time in pantyhose on top of the sand. It works great and even the bristle worms were able to get out into the new DSB.
HTH,
cyn