Sand bed and upgrade help please

[TomD]

When I upgrade Friday is it ok to transfer my existing sand to the new tank? I read a post Greg wrote about somebody vacuming their sandbed and the possibility of releasing nasties.

It will be ok if I transfer after a couple of days. There is going to be roughly 100lbs of established LR in it also. It is a 90. The seller is also giving me sand and I figured it would help to try and aviod a cycle.

 

[Gina McReeferson]

I don't think there is any way of avoiding a "cycle", you could possibly minimize it, but there will be some spiking from what I understand. Perhaps this would not really be best classified as a cycle under these circumstances, more like a re-stabilization while your new system finds it's new balance. As far as the sand, I will leave that for others to comment on.

Just my thoughts, I am interested to hear what others think on the subject for reference "down the road".

-Dave

I just noticed "I need a cheaper hobby!" above your avatar as you are posting about an upgrade. Hahaha, sounds like so many of us, "Man this hooby is expensive" in one breath, followed by "I need a bigger tank" in the next.

 

[TomD]

Sb

I think that it should not be to bad because I have a very shallow SB in this tank about 1" and I have a good amount of sand sifters.

I am also wondering about the rock. I was thinking of shwishing it around in a bucket of tank water to try and get some debris off. Should I do this before it goes to the new tank?

 

[TomD]

^^^^

 

[willray]

IMO youd be better off not useing the old sand and do swish the rock some but don't over do it.You don't want to remove the critters(pods....) just the debris.If yoou have the time rinse the sand over and over until water runs somewhat clear dry it then use it or you sell it to someone.

 

[TomD]

Well I am pretty much broke now and the seller is giving me all his. If I wash it all good wont my tank cycle worse because the SB now has to establish?

 

[Lil Shark]

Just to be on the safe side... plan on it cycling for a week or two. I always think its better to prepare for the worst and have it work out for the best.

 

[MikeG]

If the sand bed is shallow about 1" and not too old you should be fine reusing it. The things to worry about in my opinion are the age of the sandbed. Over time it will absorb phosphates and eventually need to be replaced. And secondly if you have a deep sand bed that has been established and you disturb the lower layers.

I upgraded in March and reused the sand from my 75. It was only in the 75 for about a 8-10 months. I first placed about 100# of new sand on the bottom of the 125, then I took the sand out of the 75 in layers and put it in the new tank in the order I took it out, so the bottom layer stayed on the bottom. It was a 5" sand bed in the 75.

I also used mostly dry rock that I soaked in RO before placing in the tank and I never saw a cycle.

 

[TomD]

Well my sand is only about 4 month sold so I may be ok. The sand I am getting is a good amount and is over a year old. I think I will wash it well and not wash the 1" I have. Sound ok?

 

[TomD]

There is no way to gravel vac the sand in a bucket with salt water?