Looking For Advice On Changing Substrate

[schuylerdr]

I have a 20x18x24 l w h oceanic cub. I think its 30 gallons. Right now i have crushed coral for substrate. I have 3 False Percula Clown fish. I also have an Anemone some Mexican turbo snails and some hermit crabs. I want to get a sand sifting Goby so i need to change my substrate but what do i need to do so that i don't kill my fish and their aquarium mates? I appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.

 

[nwdyr]

My advice....keep the CC

I know allot of people here don't like it but I have kept it in many tanks over the years and never had a problem

When you do W/C just deep Vacc. it and it will be fine. Changing the substrate in a already established tank is a pain

 

[1990jpyj]

i have the same problem and im just gonna leave it until i move to a bigger tank to correct my Newb mistake.

 

[al mc]

I agree that that changing out the cc is not absolutely necessary if you are not having uncontrollable nitrate problems.
However, if you want to go to sand........
You need..Rubbermade container or aquarium to act as a holding tank
A powerhead and a heater
10-15 gallons of aged saltwater of similar pH, temp and sg as your DT
Sand (preferably 'live')
Drain off about 2/3 of the DT water into the rubbermade and move over the rock and live inhabitants (watch out with the anenome and the intake on the powerhead!)..have heater/powerhead in the rubbermade. Remove and discard
remaining water and CC. Add 'new' aboput 1/2 of the new water to the rubbermade tub. Place the live rock base pieces intyo the DT. Add sand, then slowly add the other 1/2 of the new water to the DT...try Not to get a 'sand storm'. Move the rest of the rock, water and tank inhabitants back into the DT. Discard any water left in the rubbermade.
As you probably know....Sand sifting/burrowing fish can collapse rocks on themselves while excavating if the base rock is not on or very near the bottom of the tank. Some people Will put in about 1/4" of sand, then the base rock, then the rest of the sand..That is OK too.

 

[1990jpyj]

ok so if i understand this correctly:
1 rubbermaid container-put 1/2 of the DT water into it-move rock, corals,fish-then take out CC- put in sand- fill up 1/2 of DT with new water- move LR back to DT- move all fish and coral back- then top off with old water?
that is what i get with all of that. if that is really it then it really dont sound to bad. not the easyst but do able in a few hours.
would i have to worry about a cycle? or no because the rock really wouldnt be out fo the water more then 15 sec.

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by 1990jpyj
http:///forum/post/2845542
ok so if i understand this correctly:
1 rubbermaid container-put 1/2 of the DT water into it-move rock, corals,fish-then take out CC- put in sand- fill up 1/2 of DT with new water- move LR back to DT- move all fish and coral back- then top off with old water?
that is what i get with all of that. if that is really it then it really dont sound to bad. not the easyst but do able in a few hours.
would i have to worry about a cycle? or no because the rock really wouldnt be out fo the water more then 15 sec.
If the 'new' water is of the same pH, salinity and temp then you should have no problems with the plan as you outlined it. Cycle will usually not happen.
I have done this several times as I changed out a total of 3 tanks that originally hadd cc...But..I used at least some 'live' sand in each because I was worried that I would start a cycle without the extra bacteria.

 

[1990jpyj]

well i plan on doing something like this in my 55g. so would like 10#'s of LR and the rest sand be ok?
Question: could i just re-use all my old water? except for all the stuff at the bottem. like the last 4-5 in's just pull everything out.

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by 1990jpyj
http:///forum/post/2846903
well i plan on doing something like this in my 55g. so would like 10#'s of LR and the rest sand be ok? I am confused. Do you have only 10# of LR for the 55 gallon. Usually people shoot for 1-2#/gallon of LR.
Question: could i just re-use all my old water? except for all the stuff at the bottem. like the last 4-5 in's just pull everything out.
Old water is fine...As you pointed out..leave the last little bit because if you stir up that cc taking out the last bit of water you are going to release lots of detrius (nitrates).

 

[1990jpyj]

im gonna get like 10#'s of lr and the rest like bagged stuff. thats what i ment sorry