Live Sand

[lcc]

I currently have CC in my tank 11/2 inches deep. I wanted to if I add live sand on top of it would the sand seed the CC or should I remove all of it or most of it before adding the livesand? Also, would the live sand cause my tank to cycle?

 

[mr . salty]

Good LIVE sand will not cause your tank to recycle at all.You really should remove ALL of the CC before you add the sand.I made the mistake of leaving a little bit of CC in my tank when I switched over,and now am trying to sift out the CC.It became mixed with the sand and looks like SH**.

 

[lcc]

Thanks Mr. Salty

 

[landmeier]

I currently have a undergravel filter and want it gone. If I take out the cc and ug filter and then rinse out the tank, keeping half or 2/3 of the water, and then add ls. Would my tank recycle if I used SWF ls?

 

[marine qa]

landmeier, If you use Natures Ocean LS, I think that is what this site sells, you will not get much of a cycle.
I replaced cc with 1/3 Natures Ocean and 2/3 Southdown Play Sand totaling 4inc and I had a barely perceivable cycle.
I just noticed that you have an UGF. Removing this and your cc may create some cycle. Maybe not. There was allot posted about this a couple of weeks ago. I would run a search.
[ June 19, 2001: Message edited by: Marine QA ]

 

[guppie]

When you remove the cc and underground filter there will be a lot of crap under it, let it settle the vacum it out, this all depends on how long the tank has been setup. The longer the more crap. Try and get most if not all of it out, this might help keep the recycle down to a small one. Hope this helps Good Luck

 

[dugan]

Is there any reason to remove the CC when adding LS other than for aesthetic reasons?
Katie

 

[bobber]

CC is too coarse for the critters that live in sand. They will find it very hard to move in the CC and most likely will not even go into the CC, making it more detrimental than beneficial. Looks are another reason. The sand is much pleasing to the eye, reflects more light, and is way more natural. Make the switch. One suggestion, the crap under the plates, don't let it fly around in the tank(can be toxic). Remove the plates slowly and siphon the crap. HTH--Bob