Tell me if this sounds good...

[rotarygeek]

A couple weeks ago i noticed the left side of my stand was literally coming apart. So i drained the tank, i set up tote bins for my fish and LR. I fixed the stand an put it all back together and then had to wait for the cycle again. Well i was looking at the stand today and the other corner is coming apart. I know the stand is old, but this is rediculous. So what i think im going to do is to tear it down again, but this time loose the sand all together. I think im going to go bare bottom. Ill save the sand to add to the other sand i have to start a deep sand bed later on. While it is apart ill paint the back black, and completely fix the stand so it won't start this again. Hopefully by getting rid of the sand, i can avoid the cycle completely since it will be just rock and water going back in. And while its apart ill install a gfi unit in my wall, cuz i didn't like the one time i stuck my hand in the tank and got shocked. wasn't fun.

 

[atrialfib22]

Wow...
Well, I would say the first item to be addressed would be the stand. Just get a new one. Why risk the stability of your tank and all its inhabitants? You can develop cracks in the glass from uneven stress/weight distribution, etc...not worth the risk.
As far as the sand...I wouldn't get rid of it if you are trying to avoid a cycle. If you are gonna get rid of it, hopefully it's because you like the look of a barebottom and that's it. Your cycle can start again from partial die-off in your LR. So just transfer your LR from the tank to a plastic bin with a heater and a powerhead while addressing the stand and all that to lower the chances of a mini-cycle happening. As far as the sand again, I would think about it hard, depending on what kinda fish/inverts you are planning to keep (burrowing fish, snails, etc).
+1 on the black background & the GFIC.
Also, I would suggest investing in a grounding probe...cheap investment to protect your hard work and beautiful animals.
Good luck!

 

[rotarygeek]

Well my stocklist is
2 clowns
1 lawnmower blenny
1 firefish goby
1 sixline wrasse
My clean up crew is
1 coral banded shrimp
1 emerald crab
about 10 hermit crabs
3 mexican turbo snails.
Nothing to really keep my sandbed clean, and it is almost impossible to move the tank without starting a big cycle again. Last time i did it, i drained the tank to about a half inch above the sand and very carefully moved the tank so i didn't disturb the sand, but it still happened. I figure i can mix it with the other sand i have and later on add it to my sump a cup at a time like once a week till i have a deep sand bed in my sump. I have black sane in the dt and it really shows all the stuff that isn't sand thats mixed with it, kinda looks ugly.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by AtrialFib22
http:///forum/post/2719583
Wow...
Well, I would say the first item to be addressed would be the stand. Just get a new one. Why risk the stability of your tank and all its inhabitants? You can develop cracks in the glass from uneven stress/weight distribution, etc...not worth the risk.
As far as the sand...I wouldn't get rid of it if you are trying to avoid a cycle. If you are gonna get rid of it, hopefully it's because you like the look of a barebottom and that's it. Your cycle can start again from partial die-off in your LR. So just transfer your LR from the tank to a plastic bin with a heater and a powerhead while addressing the stand and all that to lower the chances of a mini-cycle happening. As far as the sand again, I would think about it hard, depending on what kinda fish/inverts you are planning to keep (burrowing fish, snails, etc).
+1 on the black background & the GFIC.
Also, I would suggest investing in a grounding probe...cheap investment to protect your hard work and beautiful animals.
Good luck!
A GFCI is a must, IMO. For a few $, you can get a tester at Wal-Mart that will show if you have any stray voltage in your tank. I'm not an expert in this area; but I know there is a lot of controversy concerning grounding probes. I'd post a thread on the equipment forum before using one; I think they can do more harm than good...but I could be wrong, I just remember being convinced, several years ago, not to use them any more.