changing to live sand

[saltwater newbe]

i want to change my crushed coral to a LSB
is this possible to do without having to cycle my tank
over again?
i have 2 yellow tangs ,1 sailfin,1 flame scallop,2 4stripe damsels 1 blue damsel 1 domino damsel and 1 CBS
I dont have another tank so transfering them to another
tank is not an option:exclaim:

 

[Brenden]

Yes. remove the cc in phases and add the sand the same way. Noticed you are in NC. I have over a ton of aragonite sand in storage if you need some.
PS slow down on the fish. What size is the tank?

 

[saltwater newbe]

it's a 55 gallon brenden
not planning on any more fish
where are you in NC?

 

[c0yote]

What other biological filtration do you have? Live rock? Biomedia in a filter?
You could do it, but since your tank is so new and you've got a sizeable amount of fish for a 55g, I would go very slowly. Maybe switch out a pound or two of CC for sand every week (can't say for sure not knowing what other filtration you have).
There's nothing wrong with having a CC/sand mix as well - it actually works better for some tunnel digging species.

 

[Brenden]

Curtis has a good point. How much LR do you have?

 

[saltwater newbe]

i have about 65 pounds of LR in my tank
hang on filter with bio filter and carbon filter

 

[Brenden]

You have a PM. It will be harder to do with that amount of fish in a 55. Water change...water change.

 

[saltwater newbe]

just did a 25 percent water change today

 

[Brenden]

Adding more LR will help make the change easier on the tank.

 

[saltwater newbe]

i'll soon be adding a 20 to 25 gal sump also

 

[Brenden]

Sounds good. It will be a easier transition if you get the sump established before you change out the substrate.

 

[saltwater newbe]

sounds like I got some work ahead of me
but I'm allways up for a challenge LOL

 

[aquarookie]

I don't have advice for you, but that's a NICE looking clown in your avatar!

 

[steve-s]

Re-use the CC once you've switched out for sand. There absolutly no need for live sand either. Bloody waste of $$ really.

Before you start the process, go to the store (or send your wife/friend) and get some new nylon stockings. Do not use old ones, there will be soap residue in them. Cut them into about 9-12" lengths and knot one end. As you take out the CC, fill the stocking until it's about the size of a softball. Tie the end and set it aside keeping it moist (or submerged). Do this until you have about 5-6 of them. Once all the CC is out. Place the nylon balls in the tank appropriately spaced and being mindful of rock. Keep them unobstructed for easy removal later on. Add your sand, add any rock and your good to go. In about a month you can remove the CC softballs.

 

[Brenden]

Good idea Steve. Do you have some used stockings lying around? I told him about the dry sand.

 

[steve-s]

Do you have some used stockings lying around?

Only the ones you left behind!!

er um....

 

[Brenden]

I wondered were I left those.:doubt:

 

[steve-s]

LOL ... :lol: