Going to replace substrate. A couple ??

[patsfan1130]

Ok..I have read a few threads on changing substrate but still have a couple of questions.

I finally got a hold of some southdown (bought 20 bags..hehe) and am going to replace my substrate with in my 75g reeftank. I have 100lbs of live rock,4 fish, 5 LPS and a few polyps as well as a couple cleaner shrimp and 20 or so snails.

My plan is to empty all of the rock into a garbage can,fill it with aquarium water and throw a heater & PH in there. Put my fish into my sump with a powerfilter & heater and then put all of my coral into another rubbermaid container with a PH & heater.

Then remove all of the old substrate and replace with southdown and seed with some live sand from my LFS.

Here is where my questions come into play....Should I put the LR back in right away? and then followed by the fish & corals? or should I wait? I am unsure as to how long I should leave the livestock in containers. Obviously,for piece of mind,I would prefer to get everything back in right away but certainly do not want to harm anything.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Mark

[Reefland]

Hey Mark!

If possible, I would attempt to do it in the same day; especially if you plan to use the same water; as much as possible. There will be no problem with adding the liverock, fish and coral right back in after removing the sandbed, but caution to make sure the water in the tank during the current substrate removal should be removed and replaced.

Scott Z.

[patsfan1130]

Hey Mark!

If possible, I would attempt to do it in the same day; especially if you plan to use the same water; as much as possible. There will be no problem with adding the liverock, fish and coral right back in after removing the sandbed, but caution to make sure the water in the tank during the current substrate removal should be removed and replaced.

Scott Z.

Maybe I am just not reading that correctly. I was planning on using as much as my aquarium water as possible. I of course will have plently on pre mixed water on hand if needed. Your saying I should not use all of my water?

I am thinking the tank is going to be hella cloudy after adding the southdown. This will be ok? I trust ya Scott..Just making absolutely sure

[Reefland]

Alright, let me try to clarify a bit.

When you remove your current substrate, there is going to be some amount of water in the aquarium. This water should be removed and discarded after the substrate is removed as it will inevitabally be cloudy and probably full of waste. This will require the use of some new water and the water in the tub you put your rock in may get nasty so you might want to replace it too. Don't worry, the rock will have plenty of nitrifying bacteria to cover your tank.

As far as the cloud from the new sand, you should be able to reduce the cloud by slowing letting the tank fill up by running water slowly into a bowl that is sitting on top of your sand, and letting it overflow out. This will reduce the cloud a bit. Also once completely full, crank up your skimmer and use some filter floss both which will aid in the clearing.

Scott Z.

[patsfan1130]

Alright, let me try to clarify a bit.

When you remove your current substrate, there is going to be some amount of water in the aquarium. This water should be removed and discarded after the substrate is removed as it will inevitabally be cloudy and probably full of waste. This will require the use of some new water and the water in the tub you put your rock in may get nasty so you might want to replace it too. Don't worry, the rock will have plenty of nitrifying bacteria to cover your tank.

As far as the cloud from the new sand, you should be able to reduce the cloud by slowing letting the tank fill up by running water slowly into a bowl that is sitting on top of your sand, and letting it overflow out. This will reduce the cloud a bit. Also once completely full, crank up your skimmer and use some filter floss both which will aid in the clearing.

Scott Z.

Ahh..gotcha. I knew I was just reading ya wrong. Thank you Scott