Questions on sand

[juanro]

Right now my sand is blowing up everywhere and I'm tired of cleaning it off the rocks and corals.
Can I go BB? Or would it cause a crash on the system?
If I can, should I do it slowly, or can I take it out in 1 go?
Can I later on add sand with a bigger grain size?
Right now the only things on the sand are an acan, a plate, some inverts (hermits) and gobies (yellow watchman, engineer, red-striped), would it be a problem to go BB with those?

 

[btldreef]

If your sand is blowing all over, you have a flow issue.

 

[juanro]

I know I have a flow issue, but no matter were I put the PH (back glass or on either side) and at what angle, the sand blows up.
Seems that with any movement I'll have sand blown up, so I thought that maybe it would be better to take it all out and switch to a bigger grained sand.

 

[btldreef]

There are some here that have changed substrates, like Spanko. I've never done it. You could add heavier/larger grain on top of the fine sand.
Have you tried a smaller power head? Maybe the one you're trying is too powerful

 

[michaeltx]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/388798/questions-on-sand#post_3431095
.
Have you tried a smaller power head? Maybe the one you're trying is too powerful
That would be what I would look at and the placement in the tank.
what power heads and tank size do you have.
Mike

 

[jerth6932]

Have you tried low placement aimed towards top of tank with your power heads, that way no direct water flow at the sand with water agitation on the top?

 

[kiefers]

+1 Point the PH upward for surface movement.

 

[juanro]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/388798/questions-on-sand#post_3431095
There are some here that have changed substrates, like Spanko. I've never done it. You could add heavier/larger grain on top of the fine sand.
Have you tried a smaller power head? Maybe the one you're trying is too powerful
To add sand with a bigger grain, what would you recommend to do? (Other than turn off the PH and filters to avoid it being blown away while settling)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelTX http:///t/388798/questions-on-sand#post_3431109
That would be what I would look at and the placement in the tank.
what power heads and tank size do you have.
Mike
Tank is a 55 gal and the PH is rated at 800GPH, forgot the brand, it was a given to me second hand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerth6932 http:///t/388798/questions-on-sand#post_3431118
Have you tried low placement aimed towards top of tank with your power heads, that way no direct water flow at the sand with water agitation on the top?
Currently I have it 1/3 of the way up on the middle of the back glass,, pointing upwards.

 

[florida joe]

You can change out the sand for a courser type just do a small section at a time, have patients with the time frame you do not want to tax your bio-filtration