Cleaning tank

[OneTimer]

What is the best way to clear you sand of large debris and replace with new sand? Does the new sand have to be live- so that the cycle does not begin again?

 

[KathyC]

When you are ready to start your water change you can stir a small portion of the sand and siphon out the crud that stirring raises. Just do it in a different section of the tank each water change.

You can also change out your sand bed a section at a time without much risk of a mini cycle if you want to change the sand or texture of the sand you are using. I'd wait at least a few days between each removal to allow the bacteria to build back up.
A turkey baster does a nice job of removing/replacing sand without making a mess in the tank

 

[cmor1701d]

As long as you only put down about a ?" of new sand you won't upset the sandbed bacteria too much. Also don't take out much more than that is you are removing some.

What kind of debris do you have?
You have any clean up crew to keep the sand bed clean?
A CUC and good flow should keep the sand bed pretty clean.

 

[OneTimer]

I think I have to many CUCI have about 10 crabs aan 10 snails in my 14g and 15/15 in my 34G -most of the debris is larger pieces of crushed coral and shells that have found there way to the top of the bed over time- I would like a finer grain of sand for cosmetic reasons.