My girlfriend keeps insisting that i change the sand in my tank. Was wondering if a good idea. Has anyone ever replaced the sand in their display tank. I would think it is not a good idea as it will polute the water. Has any one ever done this? Any ideas would help.
Changing Sand Bed?
- Thread starter isgon26
- Start date
Why does she want you to change it?
Some folks change out their sand when the bed gets old or is clearly filled with detritus, or they don't like the color.
If you do choose to change it, you want to rinse the heck out of the new sand - with either discarded tank water or rodi water otherwise you will be 'filling' the new sand with the crap in your tap water (read phosphates...).
It is also suggested that a sandbed change be done in increments (like a grid)..10% or so at a time until it is entirely replaced. In this way you do not get any spikes in ammonia as the new sand has a chance to catch up before you change the next section. Hope that makes sense!
Some folks change out their sand when the bed gets old or is clearly filled with detritus, or they don't like the color.
If you do choose to change it, you want to rinse the heck out of the new sand - with either discarded tank water or rodi water otherwise you will be 'filling' the new sand with the crap in your tap water (read phosphates...).
It is also suggested that a sandbed change be done in increments (like a grid)..10% or so at a time until it is entirely replaced. In this way you do not get any spikes in ammonia as the new sand has a chance to catch up before you change the next section. Hope that makes sense!
I had no problems changing my sand bed
Here is a thread.
You can pm me with any questions
Start with post #42
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/47028-my-new-72-bowfront-5.html
Here is a thread.
You can pm me with any questions
Start with post #42
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/47028-my-new-72-bowfront-5.html
she doesnt like the color. I was thinking of doing it like you sugessted in increments. However, Not sure i want to do it at all. Seems like a lot of work and i dont want to mess with my corals. I have 150 gallon with 4 inches of sand. So its a lot of sand.
Why does she want you to change it?
Some folks change out their sand when the bed gets old or is clearly filled with detritus, or they don't like the color.
If you do choose to change it, you want to rinse the heck out of the new sand - with either discarded tank water or rodi water otherwise you will be 'filling' the new sand with the crap in your tap water (read phosphates...).
It is also suggested that a sandbed change be done in increments (like a grid)..10% or so at a time until it is entirely replaced. In this way you do not get any spikes in ammonia as the new sand has a chance to catch up before you change the next section. Hope that makes sense!
- Location
- Commack, NY
Keep the sand... change the girlfriend! :sgrin:
- Location
- BROOKLYN/PARK SLOPE
lmao..."keep sand change girlfriend"... ill go with that option...
If you do end up changing it, I would not go with the 10% method as you are not only changing colors, but have a DEEP sand bed as well. As already stated you will disturb those nasty "anoxic spots".
You can get large "RubberMaid bins" to place water from your tank and all your rocks, corals, fish into. And of course have new RO/DI water ready for the finished end.
BTW, I didn't rinse (never have) my new sand in tank or ro water. I did rinse the heck out of it, but with tap water. But I did make sure to DRAIN all the tap water out of it before placing it in my tanks........
Honestly it does seem like a great deal of work, but if YOU (not the gf) really want to change the sand or rock work for that matter it is TOTALLY worth it!!!!
You can get large "RubberMaid bins" to place water from your tank and all your rocks, corals, fish into. And of course have new RO/DI water ready for the finished end.
BTW, I didn't rinse (never have) my new sand in tank or ro water. I did rinse the heck out of it, but with tap water. But I did make sure to DRAIN all the tap water out of it before placing it in my tanks........
Honestly it does seem like a great deal of work, but if YOU (not the gf) really want to change the sand or rock work for that matter it is TOTALLY worth it!!!!
sand bed
i'm not an expert but i know there is a lot of beneficial bacteria in the sand bed as well as pockets of detritus. maybe you can add a thin layer to the existing bed to freshen it up and still keep what is there.
i'm not an expert but i know there is a lot of beneficial bacteria in the sand bed as well as pockets of detritus. maybe you can add a thin layer to the existing bed to freshen it up and still keep what is there.
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