Transfering DSB

[spikehs]

I was doing some reading, and heard that it is NOT good to transfer an existing dsb to a new tank (due to the release of all the built up gases i think they said?) except for the top inch, which you should use to seed the new sand bed....does anyone know if this is true or have any ideas about it? Thanks.

Sean

[Bob I]

I was doing some reading, and heard that it is NOT good to transfer an existing dsb to a new tank (due to the release of all the built up gases i think they said?) except for the top inch, which you should use to seed the new sand bed....does anyone know if this is true or have any ideas about it? Thanks.

Sean

Might be a tempest in a teapot. I have done it a number of times, and have never had a problem. I have always moved the entire sandbed. :wink:

[EmilyB]

Assuming the question is more with regards to tanks that are set up for more than a few months..... be careful. Disturbing the sandbed at all, is a guarantee for cyano or diatoms IME, even when fish are doing it. It is black areas that would concern me most. I never have these, however, I have seen them in other peoples tanks (black=sewer). I certainly would allow for a recycle period if things are smelly.

FWIW, when we did the change here from the 72g to the 120g, I basically laid new sand and topped with old.

The fish all went in that same nite, but we are talking 120g here and not a nano.
:D

[BCOrchidGuy]

You would be best off, laying down a new sand bed and then seeding it with the top inch of your old sand bed like you said... OR, collect the top inch and keep it warm and aerated, remove and rinse the old sand bed and wash it well.... put it back in and lay your saved stuff back on top, this will help you save part of your old sand bed while keeping all the aragonite you already have.

[Aquattro]

FWIW, when I upgraded tanks, I moved all my DSB from the 75 to the 155. The only problem was a 6 inch patch of diatos for a couple of weeks.

[spikehs]

Thanks for the reply's

I am going to be switching from a 80gal (no sump) to a 50gal with around a 30gal sump. I had mentioned in previous threads but the height is only ~18inches, so a full dsb in the main would take up too much space. So i was planning on having a 6inches in the sump...with that said tell me if you think this would work.

1. Lay 3inches of new sand in the main tank, add 1 inch of the old sand, rock etc. Let it cycle.

2. Add the fish+corals from the 80gal

3. remove the rest of the sand from the 80 and put it all in the sump with a ph and heater, let that cycle.

4. hook the 2 up together.

how does this sound? or shou'ld i just go with all new sand? just seems like a waste to throw out a 6inch dsb the old 80. Thanks again.

[spikehs]

for anyone else interested in this here are some threads i found at reefcentral:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ighlight=moving

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ighlight=moving

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ighlight=moving

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ighlight=moving

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ighlight=moving

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...&highlight=move

[justaguy]

Spikehs, Just move all the sand bed to the new tank. If you need more sand put some new stuff in first then put in your old stuff. If you find you still need more you can put upto a inch of new stuff on top again with out hurting anything, personaly I would only put 1/2 a inch on top at a time though.

As Reef_raf stated he just moved his entire bed then added new stuff with no problems, I have also seen a few others that did this with no problems.

Jeff