Transfer DSB

[thinhvu]

I have live sand and argonite in the 58G for over 2 years. Now i am set up a new 100G. I need recommendations on transfering established DSB to the new tank.


Thank in Advance

 

[danmhippo]

It's mission impossible, well, close to impossible. The scooping activities will introduce O2 into the anaerobic layer, if not mixing each lkayers already. If the transport duration is rather short, the sand bed nitrifying bacteria will be preserved. The nitrogen fix fuction will still continue into the new tank, but the anaerobic layer will have to be re-developed.

Since you will be losing the anaerobic zone, you might as well do a light rinse of the sand before you put them into the new tank. You will be amazed with how much junk is trapped within.

 

[mirski57]

From what I've gathered, it looks like the best thing to do is to start a new sand bed and "seed" it with some of the current LS. Moving it around and getting it mixed up is a bad deal.

 

[thinhvu]

How about this, i dump the current live sand into the new tank and add more sugar-size substrate. Then let the tank cycle by itself.

 

[danmhippo]

That would be fine. Though I would do a light rinse to rid most detritus trapped in the old sand first.