How to change my substrate from crushed coral to sand.

sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hi all,
 
Okay I set up my first SW tank about 6 weeks ago with a CC substrate. Now I am reconsidering and thinking about going to sand. Whats the best way to do this?
 
Here is my set up:
Its a 29g with a bugeted set up.
2- penguin 150gph bio wheels hang on filters
1- 200 watt heater
2- power heads (1 top fin 50 150gph, and 1 maxiJet mp1200 300gph
16lbs live rock
I currently have three fish in the tank. 3 Damsels that I got exactly 1 week ago. They are doing great. I tested my water last night here are the results.
 
ph 8.2
am 0.00
nitrites 0.00
nitrates 20
 
 
Is changing to sand even a good idea? I know starting with sand would have been best, but that did not happen. Can I undo my mistake? Please help!!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///forum/thread/379826/how-to-change-my-substrate-from-crushed-coral-to-sand#post_3302825
Hi all,
 
Okay I set up my first SW tank about 6 weeks ago with a CC substrate. Now I am reconsidering and thinking about going to sand. Whats the best way to do this?
 
Here is my set up:
Its a 29g with a bugeted set up.
2- penguin 150gph bio wheels hang on filters
1- 200 watt heater
2- power heads (1 top fin 50 150gph, and 1 maxiJet mp1200 300gph
16lbs live rock
I currently have three fish in the tank. 3 Damsels that I got exactly 1 week ago. They are doing great. I tested my water last night here are the results.
 
ph 8.2
am 0.00
nitrites 0.00
nitrates 20
 
 
Is changing to sand even a good idea? I know starting with sand would have been best, but that did not happen. Can I undo my mistake? Please help!!
Hi,
 
 
I changed mine after a year.
 
This is what I did...
 
I waited until I did a water change put the old water in buckets or tubs and put the fish in one and the rocks in another with power heads. With the water dropped it was easier…removed the CC and placed my rocks where I wanted them, then added the sand, the rocks should be on the bottom..it took a little while for the sand to settle, once it did I added the new water completing the water change and re-acclimated the fish back to the DT.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Thanks Flower!!
 
Did you put some of the old water back in the DT? I was going to do a 20% WC anyways. Should I try to only add 20% new water? How long can the fish be in a bucket with a powerhead? Also, what kind of sand should I get? I read some threads about using dead sand and seeding it with live sand. I will do some more looking to see how much sand should go into a 29g. I am thinking about a 2:1 ratio dead sand to live sand. Thanks for the help!!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

 
 
 
There is not a whole of of good bacteria in the water, use as much new as you have and keep the old on hand just in case you miscalculate. (I always do) As for substrate that's up to you. I used 100% live sand, it really is just sand seeded with bacteria, they call it live. It isn't as difficult to work with because you don't have to rinse it and it settles faster to the bottom. However it costs more.

It is very stressful for your fish to be in containers, and ammonia has to be monitored regularly to make sure all is well. If your tub is large enough you could hook up a filter system and use some rock..fish won't care about lights. A few hours is no big deal but after that you have to watch the water quality, depending on how many fish are in the bucket.
Make sure you have everything all set before you begin, do the change as quick as you can and get things back as they should be ASAP, do it while the stores are open in case of needing to make an emergency run, or send someone if needed, I'm talking hardware and fish stores because you just never know.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Alright!! I am going for it!!

 
I am going to put the fish and rocks in one bin along with a powerhead, powerfilter and heater. That should keep them happy. Wish me luck!!!
 
 
I will let you all know how this turns out!!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hi all it was a success!!!! at least so far. Moved all the rock and fish into one bin with about half of the water. Got 40lbs of live sand from LFS along with nice big piece of live rock (on sale). I had been using tap water (don't be too mad. we have really good water round these parts), but decided to go to RO water from here on out and got a bunch of that as well. The wife and daughter (along with my buddy) helped a bit and got everything transfered and cleaned out. it took some time to get everything moved. I ended up doing about a 40% water change. The fish are doing really good with the new live rock they all have an area to hang out. The water is clearing up to almost perfectly clear. There is one thing. I have a ton of little bubbles in the sand. Do I need to help it settle by stiring it up a bit?
 
I can't tell you how much I just love the look of the sand vs the CC!!!
 
 
BTW, Yes I waited till my levels were good until I added fish! I did my research and I know not to add too early. But I am a total newbee so I can understand the question. LOL. This little project was a ton of fun and I am super glad I gave it a try. I find my self falling for this hobby hard!! Its like hitting a drive 300 yards on the golf course when you are a total hack, gets you hooked. Love it.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
So you bought new sand....and new rock....put it all in the tank...and put the fish in there too????/
 
I think you should have kept the fish out for a while
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
I changed mine after a year.
 
This is what I did...
 
I waited until I did a water change put the old water in buckets or tubs and put the fish in one and the rocks in another with power heads. With the water dropped it was easier…removed the CC and placed my rocks where I wanted them, then added the sand, the rocks should be on the bottom..it took a little while for the sand to settle, once it did I added the new water completing the water change and re-acclimated the fish back to the DT
 
 
Was I supposed to wait a day to put the fish back???? I am new to all of this. From what I read from Flower it seemed okay to complete the change with in 5 or so hours. That is about how long it took. I guess I will have to keep an eye on the fish.
 
Now you got me worried.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Daily for the first few days......and watch closely.....if you get a spike, you will be able to tell by your livestock
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///forum/thread/379826/how-to-change-my-substrate-from-crushed-coral-to-sand#post_3303220
I changed mine after a year.
 
This is what I did...
 
I waited until I did a water change put the old water in buckets or tubs and put the fish in one and the rocks in another with power heads. With the water dropped it was easier…removed the CC and placed my rocks where I wanted them, then added the sand, the rocks should be on the bottom..it took a little while for the sand to settle, once it did I added the new water completing the water change and re-acclimated the fish back to the DT
 
 
Was I supposed to wait a day to put the fish back???? I am new to all of this. From what I read from Flower it seemed okay to complete the change with in 5 or so hours. That is about how long it took. I guess I will have to keep an eye on the fish.
 
Now you got me worried.

 
 
That is exactly what I did and I and no trouble at all. One day and it was done, why would there be any spike? The rock is fully cured, the sand was live, the new water premixed..just re-acclimate the fish and your good to go. Filters and all are just as it always was and half of the water remained to start with.


I did not however add anything new but the sand. Live sand has bacteria in it and it does not have to cure, nor be rinsed..little bubbles will go away on its own it is just air trapped escaping. If the new rock you purchased is not cured you may have an issue, if however it's already cured all is well. I always mix my salt 24 hours before use as I always do for a water change, and I assumed that was a given. That's why I said have everything all set before you begin.
 
 
Because you added another rock, checking your ammonia isn't a bad idea...once a day for a few days to see if there is any spike. Have some water made up just in case.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Yup,
 
It was in the tub at the LFS for a while. Same stuff was there when I got my first batch a month or so ago. They were going to get new stuff in a had a super sale. Real good price. But the owner said it was fully cured and I should have no problem. For what ever that is worth. So far he has been doing okay. I will test though and make sure to look for spikes. Thanks for looking out!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///forum/thread/379826/how-to-change-my-substrate-from-crushed-coral-to-sand#post_3303261
Yup,
 
It was in the tub at the LFS for a while. Same stuff was there when I got my first batch a month or so ago. They were going to get new stuff in a had a super sale. Real good price. But the owner said it was fully cured and I should have no problem. For what ever that is worth. So far he has been doing okay. I will test though and make sure to look for spikes. Thanks for looking out!

 
Whew... wiping sweat from my brow...I would just die inside if I had caused you to kill your tank. A piece of rock even if it isn't cured should be no more trouble than adding a new big fish, if the tank has plenty of good bacteria from the filters and the rest of your rock. You did lose some bacteria when you took out the CC substrate. I'm glad it went smoothly. Changing to RO water was a fantastic move..
 
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