Removing sand. How much and how fast?

PirateLove · 03/25/2017, 08:40 PM

I am removing all of my sand because of a bacterial bloom in my tank. How much can I take out in one time? Is there any advice on how to do this?

Thanks!

Georb · 03/25/2017, 08:42 PM

Took me 4 weeks during water changes to switch from oolite sand to a larger grain reef. Had to deal with another diatom bloom again.

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PirateLove · 03/26/2017, 01:40 PM

Any more opinions?

AlSimmons · 03/26/2017, 05:33 PM

Seems a little drastic for just a bacterial bloom IMO, but removing small portions at a time is definitely the safest way to go about it.

thegrun · 03/26/2017, 07:37 PM

1/4 to 1/3 of the tank seems to be a safe amount to remove at a time waiting a week between removals.

Crush Coral · 03/26/2017, 09:35 PM

I agree with the grun.

JMorris271 · 03/26/2017, 10:10 PM

I removed about 1/3 of mine and replaced it with about the same amount of dry crushed coral so there is no die off to be concerned with. You are very likely going to have a sufficient colony of bacteria to process the ammonia depending on your bio load. My pets are doing fine and the numbers didn't budge.

03/25/2017, 08:40 PM	#1
PirateLove Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 511	Removing sand. How much and how fast? I am removing all of my sand because of a bacterial bloom in my tank. How much can I take out in one time? Is there any advice on how to do this? Thanks! __________________ "Pirate love, is what I'm looking for. Pirate love, is what i'm wanted for." Current tank: Cad Lights 42 versa. Kessil AP700. Some Sps and Lps.

03/26/2017, 01:40 PM	#3
PirateLove Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 511	Any more opinions? __________________ "Pirate love, is what I'm looking for. Pirate love, is what i'm wanted for." Current tank: Cad Lights 42 versa. Kessil AP700. Some Sps and Lps.

03/26/2017, 10:10 PM	#7
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	I removed about 1/3 of mine and replaced it with about the same amount of dry crushed coral so there is no die off to be concerned with. You are very likely going to have a sufficient colony of bacteria to process the ammonia depending on your bio load. My pets are doing fine and the numbers didn't budge. __________________ 120 gal mixed tank. Lightly stocked now but....

03/25/2017, 08:42 PM	#2
Georb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 80	Took me 4 weeks during water changes to switch from oolite sand to a larger grain reef. Had to deal with another diatom bloom again. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

03/26/2017, 05:33 PM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Seems a little drastic for just a bacterial bloom IMO, but removing small portions at a time is definitely the safest way to go about it.

03/26/2017, 07:37 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	1/4 to 1/3 of the tank seems to be a safe amount to remove at a time waiting a week between removals.

03/26/2017, 09:35 PM	#6
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	I agree with the grun.