Upgrade - Sandbed move

[evoIX_Reefer]

So the tank is just 3 months old and since I want to keep my tank from going through a huge cycle and losing any of my corals. I plan to run them in parallel for a few weeks.

Plan would be to take 60%~ of the current sand and get another bag of sand and run the system for awhile with just sand and any additional LR I'll be adding to the system.

With this method, I get the beneficial bacteria, it has time to settle and get the new sand colonized then do a transfer down the road.

Anyone have any recommendations outside of this plan to get my tank to be prepped while minimizing losses?


**Does my counter restart for getting things like a clam? I wanted to ensure my tank was mature before getting a clam and drop some $$ on SPS that require more stability. Current tank went through the cycle woos and don't want to deal with it again. Tank had so many hits than I have since I started the hobby.

Dinos, Byropsis, out of control ulva, GHA, etc. No cyano tho!

Thoughts?

 

[homegrowncichlid]

I personally believe sand can be rejuvenated simply by washing in sea water. just turn it over in a 5 gallon bucket, or a 20 gallon tub, and do 100% water changes after full mixing. Pour off all the organics into the drain.

 

[Geraud]

If you have not bought the new sand yet, I highly recommend "Tropic Eden". It has very very low dust and does not require hours of pre-rinsing. When I had a tank bust and put sand after a quick transfer to a brand new tank, that's what I used.

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

Have used tropic eden in the past.. Wish it was more readily available.

Which flakes did you use?

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

Well, I was going to need more sand no matter what. Decided on tropic eden MESOFLAKES.

Impulse purchases will be the death of me!

 

[Geraud]

In my tank I use "Reefflakes" I got it from Premium Aquatics but it looks like they are out at the moment. Slightly larger than the mesoflakes.

Tropic Eden Reeflakes Aragonite Sand - 30lb | Premium Aquatics

NOTE: Because of the heavy nature of sands. These sands will be shipped out via the most economical way, which may be UPS Ground or USPS, but will...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

Yeah, I used reefflakes in a prior tank. I liked it. It's only been supplied by Premium Aquatics. Other vendors need to pick it up.

We'll see how long it takes to come in. Still need to wash it out right?

I plan to clean out my old sandbed then place first then cover it in the new sand so that I don't lose out on all the beneficial bacteria I've gained.

 

[Geraud]

I actually did not clean it at all when I put half a bag in my already-filled tank 3-4 years ago. And there was no problems at all. It is that clean.

 

[Jamesmost]

Never seen the TE.... looks like the Jam...