Questions On Live Sand

[Luke.]

So in about 5-6 weeks I'll be moving , and hate the fact I have to move my tank ( thankfully it's a 40 gallon)
My only concern is the sand bed.
I don't want to reuse my sand is like to buy another 40lb bag of live sand.

My main question is , if I save 75% of old water with the LR I have will that 40lb bag of live sand cycle my tank enough to whipe out corals? I just have to much money invested into it to throw it away in a cycle , any advice helps !

 

[Kman]

How old is your sand? If it is not old I myself would reuse it if this was my tank. Moving to a new location with different source water is hard enough on corals. At least you would have a functional bed to keep things stable. If you are really worried do a vacuum of your bed and replace a portion of it. If the bed was really old I could see not using it but if it is only a few years old I recommend you keep it. You could save some of the water and your tank transfer will go more smoothly.

 

[TORX]

I disagree. If you disturb the sand bed, you run a huge risk of releasing some nasty crap into the water in masses. It will spike you ammonia levels and smell nasty as hell. If you can move it without disturbing the sand bed and rock, that would be okay. I would save the water and a small portion of the surface of the sand mixed with all new sand.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Kman]

I have done what I recommended quite a few times over the years with no issues whatsoever. It really depends on how old your substrate is and if it was maintained properly. The older it is you can run the risk of causing issues but newer substrate can be done safely. If he is worried just move without touching.

 

[Luke.]

Thanks for the input here guys , the sand in a year old this month and hasnt been vaced in about 5 months due to to many corals on the sand bed LOL . I can see pockets of air in the sand I do like the idea of takeing some old and new and mix it I don't think I can move a 3' tank with sand in the bottom so I'll have to take out as my sand as possible , and as of water @Kman im a poor sucker and buy my RO water from a local crystal clear water so thank God my source won't change !