removing cc-..
- Thread starter ahubble
- Start date
wartooth1
Member
Hi,
I did a similar thing but I replaced 40 lbs of CC with 40 lbs of live sand. I only waited a few hours for the dust to settle before I put all my fish/critters and coral back in the tank and everything turned out fine. I was worried for a little while but nothing died. I'd suggest since you are only adding a small amount of live sand to your tank you should also probably get a bottle of the bacteria needed to make the argonite become "live" quicker.
I did a similar thing but I replaced 40 lbs of CC with 40 lbs of live sand. I only waited a few hours for the dust to settle before I put all my fish/critters and coral back in the tank and everything turned out fine. I was worried for a little while but nothing died. I'd suggest since you are only adding a small amount of live sand to your tank you should also probably get a bottle of the bacteria needed to make the argonite become "live" quicker.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3404838
HI, I am going to remove cc from my 75g tank and need to know would it be better to replace with live sand or aragonite?
i assume you mean dry aragonite
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3404838
HI, I am going to remove cc from my 75g tank and need to know would it be better to replace with live sand or aragonite?
i assume you mean dry aragonite
ahubble
New Member
Yes aragonite... I am concerned about removing my fish... when i first started this hobby i removed fish due to ich.. and i think I stressed them out so bad ...that they died... any suggestions on how to do this without hurting my fish.
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405240
Yes aragonite... I am concerned about removing my fish... when i first started this hobby i removed fish due to ich.. and i think I stressed them out so bad ...that they died... any suggestions on how to do this without hurting my fish.
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
I did this years ago when I first started out. I removed the fish after I removed all the rock (use an air line with no stone to help the fish breath...I emptied out 1/2 of the water to my 37g water changing tub to hold. I removed my rock and put in the same tub so it wasn't out of water. (I had no coral at the time, but I'm sure a bucket would do for them too) I scooped out the CC and then added aragonite live sand, all it has is good bacteria in it. and it didn't cloud the tank like dry sand does. I added my rock and smoothed the new sand around it, then returned the water. It all cleared within an hour and add the fish back in.
I personally would not use dry agagonite sand. You are losing lots of good bacteria by removing the CC and it would be best to use the live sand that has that bacteria in it. There is no die off to create a spike, it isn't like live rock, also the live sand is not as cloudy and will clear fast.
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405240
Yes aragonite... I am concerned about removing my fish... when i first started this hobby i removed fish due to ich.. and i think I stressed them out so bad ...that they died... any suggestions on how to do this without hurting my fish.
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
I did this years ago when I first started out. I removed the fish after I removed all the rock (use an air line with no stone to help the fish breath...I emptied out 1/2 of the water to my 37g water changing tub to hold. I removed my rock and put in the same tub so it wasn't out of water. (I had no coral at the time, but I'm sure a bucket would do for them too) I scooped out the CC and then added aragonite live sand, all it has is good bacteria in it. and it didn't cloud the tank like dry sand does. I added my rock and smoothed the new sand around it, then returned the water. It all cleared within an hour and add the fish back in.
I personally would not use dry agagonite sand. You are losing lots of good bacteria by removing the CC and it would be best to use the live sand that has that bacteria in it. There is no die off to create a spike, it isn't like live rock, also the live sand is not as cloudy and will clear fast.
wartooth1
Member
What I did was I got one of those 20 gallon red party tubs at Target for like $3, put half my tank's water in it first, followed by all the live rock. Then I put in the tank's heater and powerhead and made sure they were running. Once all of that were in the tub, I netted the fish out one at a time and put them in the tub, then I picked out all the snails and hermit crabs by hand.
Once the CC was out and the live sand was in, I gave it about 4 hours for the dust to settle, then I put the live rock back in and finally all the fish and critters by net.
Finally, I returned the water from the tub back to the tank using a regular drinking cup (it took a few minutes but I wanted to make sure I wouldn't disturb the sand).
Not one single casualty was had that day!
Once the CC was out and the live sand was in, I gave it about 4 hours for the dust to settle, then I put the live rock back in and finally all the fish and critters by net.
Finally, I returned the water from the tub back to the tank using a regular drinking cup (it took a few minutes but I wanted to make sure I wouldn't disturb the sand).
Not one single casualty was had that day!
florida joe
Well-Known Member
why do you feel like you have to remove the cc all at once
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405269
why do you feel like you have to remove the cc all at once
Because nobody wants to putz with it more than once. Why else?
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405269
why do you feel like you have to remove the cc all at once
Because nobody wants to putz with it more than once. Why else?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405240
Yes aragonite... I am concerned about removing my fish... when i first started this hobby i removed fish due to ich.. and i think I stressed them out so bad ...that they died... any suggestions on how to do this without hurting my fish.
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
Your fish were sick before you caught them. Also you don't return sick fish right away, you put them in hospital tanks...ammonia spikes, stress, too far gone from the infestation, all may have played a role in the fish loss. Remember people ship fish great distances, and put them in fish stores, then they are re-netted after a few days and put into a bag to go home with you.....
Just moving the fish to a bucket (FISH ONLY) never use a bucket you have mopped floors or something in. I reuse my empty salt buckets. Healthy fish can take that kind of move. Just have an air line and have a plan of action, so you can get it done and back together ASAP. Your fish will be stressed and freaked out a little, unless they are already sick you shouldn't have a problem.
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405240
Yes aragonite... I am concerned about removing my fish... when i first started this hobby i removed fish due to ich.. and i think I stressed them out so bad ...that they died... any suggestions on how to do this without hurting my fish.
And should I mix the live sand with the aragonite and then put in my tank?
Your fish were sick before you caught them. Also you don't return sick fish right away, you put them in hospital tanks...ammonia spikes, stress, too far gone from the infestation, all may have played a role in the fish loss. Remember people ship fish great distances, and put them in fish stores, then they are re-netted after a few days and put into a bag to go home with you.....
Just moving the fish to a bucket (FISH ONLY) never use a bucket you have mopped floors or something in. I reuse my empty salt buckets. Healthy fish can take that kind of move. Just have an air line and have a plan of action, so you can get it done and back together ASAP. Your fish will be stressed and freaked out a little, unless they are already sick you shouldn't have a problem.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405270
Because nobody wants to putz with it more than once. Why else?
i dont know thats why i asked the OP so again in will ask why do you the op feel you need to remove it all at once
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405270
Because nobody wants to putz with it more than once. Why else?
i dont know thats why i asked the OP so again in will ask why do you the op feel you need to remove it all at once
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
If I were you, I would go ahead and do a water change and gravel vac the entire bed of crushed coral - that will remove as much nitrate out of the system as possible before you try removing it. Then I would take a cup or two out of the tank a day until it's gone. I wouldn't do the entire tank at the same time. But, that's just me. There's more than one way to skin a cat.
ahubble
New Member
Thanks everyone for the replies. My nitrates have been in the danger zone for over 4 weeks even after doing 5-10 gallon water changes every 4 days. That is why I figure take it all apart and get the cc out at once. My fish and coral all look great I am just afraid that sometime soon the nitrates are going to start affecting them.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405458
Thanks everyone for the replies. My nitrates have been in the danger zone for over 4 weeks even after doing 5-10 gallon water changes every 4 days. That is why I figure take it all apart and get the cc out at once. My fish and coral all look great I am just afraid that sometime soon the nitrates are going to start affecting them.
Before you change the whole tank over high nitrates...How old, and what kind of test kit did you use to test with?
I ask because I had API master kits, even the new unopened one was from 2008 and it said my nitrates were at dangerous levels and yet my shrimp and anemone were happy. I battled nitrates for 2 years, got an Aquaripure filter, vodka dosed and all the while it was the test kit. My nitrates are at 0 according to the Seachem test kit, and it has a way of double checking to make sure of accuracy.
There are many reasons for high nitrates. If you have been doing constant water changes, and still the NO3 climbs...I think you might have a bad test kit.
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405458
Thanks everyone for the replies. My nitrates have been in the danger zone for over 4 weeks even after doing 5-10 gallon water changes every 4 days. That is why I figure take it all apart and get the cc out at once. My fish and coral all look great I am just afraid that sometime soon the nitrates are going to start affecting them.
Before you change the whole tank over high nitrates...How old, and what kind of test kit did you use to test with?
I ask because I had API master kits, even the new unopened one was from 2008 and it said my nitrates were at dangerous levels and yet my shrimp and anemone were happy. I battled nitrates for 2 years, got an Aquaripure filter, vodka dosed and all the while it was the test kit. My nitrates are at 0 according to the Seachem test kit, and it has a way of double checking to make sure of accuracy.
There are many reasons for high nitrates. If you have been doing constant water changes, and still the NO3 climbs...I think you might have a bad test kit.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
The reason you have a nitrate problem is simply because your bio load exceeds you dinitrification via biological or mechanical. A lack of adequate maintenance can also add to the situation. Changing from cc to sand is up to you of course BUT I would not look at it as a cure all for your nitrates
ahubble
New Member
Hi Florida Joe... could you please break your post down for me so maybe I will understand? I have a 75 gallon tank running a 125 gallon sump with overflow.. a protein skimmer.. 100 lr I run 3 powerheads.. I have a yellow tang, maroon clown, 6 line wrasse 2 scooter blennies.. 2 damsels..serveral crabs and snails and a fire shrimp ... and several soft corals... and anenome. is this too much for my 75 gallon tank? Believe me I have been up on maintenance with 2 water changes weekly, I feed small amount every other day, what am I missing? any and all help would be great!
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405532
Hi Florida Joe... could you please break your post down for me so maybe I will understand? I have a 75 gallon tank running a 125 gallon sump with overflow.. a protein skimmer.. 100 lr I run 3 powerheads.. I have a yellow tang, maroon clown, 6 line wrasse 2 scooter blennies.. 2 damsels..serveral crabs and snails and a fire shrimp ... and several soft corals... and anenome. is this too much for my 75 gallon tank? Believe me I have been up on maintenance with 2 water changes weekly, I feed small amount every other day, what am I missing? any and all help would be great!
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
ahubble....your nitrates are not bad at all, unless you plan on SPS coral you are fine. The first year is hard when the tank is balancing out and changes taking place. 05 is really good. If you keep up your water changes and rinse your media...you will see those nasty trates disappear. You are worried over nothing. Anything abouve 40 will kill inverts...over 20 will kill coral. Fish only makes no difference, they don't care at all.
0.5 is way below any danger level.
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405532
Hi Florida Joe... could you please break your post down for me so maybe I will understand? I have a 75 gallon tank running a 125 gallon sump with overflow.. a protein skimmer.. 100 lr I run 3 powerheads.. I have a yellow tang, maroon clown, 6 line wrasse 2 scooter blennies.. 2 damsels..serveral crabs and snails and a fire shrimp ... and several soft corals... and anenome. is this too much for my 75 gallon tank? Believe me I have been up on maintenance with 2 water changes weekly, I feed small amount every other day, what am I missing? any and all help would be great!
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
ahubble....your nitrates are not bad at all, unless you plan on SPS coral you are fine. The first year is hard when the tank is balancing out and changes taking place. 05 is really good. If you keep up your water changes and rinse your media...you will see those nasty trates disappear. You are worried over nothing. Anything abouve 40 will kill inverts...over 20 will kill coral. Fish only makes no difference, they don't care at all.
0.5 is way below any danger level.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405532
Hi Florida Joe... could you please break your post down for me so maybe I will understand? I have a 75 gallon tank running a 125 gallon sump with overflow.. a protein skimmer.. 100 lr I run 3 powerheads.. I have a yellow tang, maroon clown, 6 line wrasse 2 scooter blennies.. 2 damsels..serveral crabs and snails and a fire shrimp ... and several soft corals... and anenome. is this too much for my 75 gallon tank? Believe me I have been up on maintenance with 2 water changes weekly, I feed small amount every other day, what am I missing? any and all help would be great!
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
First I think you are fine with your fish population. Now let’s look at nitrates. Let’s assume you have a high nitrate level. This level is the result of the cycle of introduced organic breakdown. The cycle of ammonia to nitrates once the nitrifying bacteria colonies are established happens at an extremely fast pace. The speed in which we convert ammonia to nitrates is what basically allows us to maintain our aquariums. Not the proses of eliminating nitrates via nitrogen gas in our tank on the other hand are established very slowly. It takes the colonization of anaerobic bacteria and these colonies are as I stated take some time to establish. We also employ mechanical methods of reducing nitrates ( water changes and harvesting higher forms of algae being just two)
Nitrate testing needs to be carried out exactly as instructed by the test kit. Test your water again use a watch to time the steps as instructed and post you results
Originally Posted by ahubble http:///forum/thread/387198/removing-cc#post_3405532
Hi Florida Joe... could you please break your post down for me so maybe I will understand? I have a 75 gallon tank running a 125 gallon sump with overflow.. a protein skimmer.. 100 lr I run 3 powerheads.. I have a yellow tang, maroon clown, 6 line wrasse 2 scooter blennies.. 2 damsels..serveral crabs and snails and a fire shrimp ... and several soft corals... and anenome. is this too much for my 75 gallon tank? Believe me I have been up on maintenance with 2 water changes weekly, I feed small amount every other day, what am I missing? any and all help would be great!
I just read on hear daily about Nitrate problems and cc and I am assuming that is my problem. HELP
First I think you are fine with your fish population. Now let’s look at nitrates. Let’s assume you have a high nitrate level. This level is the result of the cycle of introduced organic breakdown. The cycle of ammonia to nitrates once the nitrifying bacteria colonies are established happens at an extremely fast pace. The speed in which we convert ammonia to nitrates is what basically allows us to maintain our aquariums. Not the proses of eliminating nitrates via nitrogen gas in our tank on the other hand are established very slowly. It takes the colonization of anaerobic bacteria and these colonies are as I stated take some time to establish. We also employ mechanical methods of reducing nitrates ( water changes and harvesting higher forms of algae being just two)
Nitrate testing needs to be carried out exactly as instructed by the test kit. Test your water again use a watch to time the steps as instructed and post you results