Crushed Coral or Sand

[sonicfish]

Right now i am switching my crush coral to sand the reasons why i am doing this is because they say it traps nuitrints which then relates to phosphates and nitrates and i was wondering if that is correct and will this help. Then this is a rookie question but how what you do a water change in the sand?

 

[Witfull]

yes,,sand,,,the finer the better.

 

[sonicfish]

alright but how would you do a water change with sand on the bottom

 

[Witfull]

dont suck the sand out~

 

[DAHansen]

And in order not to suck the sand out get the siphon close, even get it lightly into the sand, then pull it back before you suck too much into the siphon.

I almost always end up sucking out a little sand, but never enough to worry me. If you find that you can't help but suck up a lot of sand, try a smaller siphon for slower flow.

 

[PEMfish]

A siphon with a pipe larger than tube at the end will not suck up sand if the size difference is great enough.

 

[DrHank]

I'd suggest a Python. You can use it to easily drain and refill.

 

[PEMfish]

Just drain. You can not use tap water in a SW.

 

[RNicorvo]

Sonic Fish - I just went through this all process myself. I have a 14g and had to change the crushed coral for the same reasons you have.

I batched up about 5 gal of salt water - using RO/DI of course. And washed the new sand with approximately 3 gals of salt water. Emptied approx 1 1/2 gallons and moved the lr to one side of the tank. Created a small scoop that was square and flat on the bottom, not rounded ; and scooped all the coral from 1/2 of the tank. Added the sand slowly, not to cause a sand storm. Then completed a wc 1 1/2 gallons. Waited 4 days and completed the other side of the tank.

Fishes and corals faired pretty well.

I don't know how big your tank is, but I hope this helps.

 

[Varga]

Sand for sure. are you thinking "sand storm" after a WC? you get a little of that. Thats one of the reasons you need a sump

Or you can introduce the new water using an airtube.

 

[Frankie]

Man, you guys are still cleaning the sand beds? I thought that was what sand sifters were for
Honestly, I never touch my 4" sand bed. The sand sifters like the star and a few snails do a fine job. I do all of my water changes through the sump.

 

[sonicfish]

so really you just want to get the stuff on the top

 

[lcstorc]

I do my water changes from the top half of the tank. I do stir the sand a bit before the change to get any detrius suspended. Mostly my nassarius and gobys or jawfish keep things turned over and pretty clean.