Substrate

[Essphore]

What's up everybody? I have a few questions. How easy is it to change from a crushed coral substrate to sand? The tank (60 gallon marine uniquarium) just hit it's 5th week of operation. Will changing the substrate have a negative effect on the system overall? What would you recommend as a process to make this happen? I know I should of planned better, but at this point there is nothing I can do to reverse my original decision. Any advise is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sean

 

[mr.reef24]

well it will be a bit mess but not impossible just get a good scoop to get the crushed coral out and have a few 5 gallon buckets with fresh saltwater and a few empty one's for the crushed coral. The disruption of the substrate will cause a spike in ammonia, nitrate, nitrites, so do a good water change after your done adding the new substrate around a 50% water change.

mr.reef24

 

[Essphore]

Thanks for the input! Anything else you can think of? Unfortunately I added a clown fish, and a Tang on Saturday. Do you think they will die from the " stress'? once again, I know I'm going backwards by making this decision. I just want to make the change before it really get's too late.

 

[Essphore]

Thank you for the input! Is there anything else you can think of? Besides a water change, are there any "additives" that will be to my advantage? BTW, I'm going to be switching to "Live" sand. Also, I just added a Clownfish and a Tang on Saturday. What are my chances of the two making it through all of this?

 

[Essphore]

Sorry for the double reply/post. For some reason it appeared that the first post didn't register. Apparantly it did.

 

[mr.reef24]

the fish might be stressed from all the changing. Bio-Spira could help you with the change and help the fish to survive but add it after the new substrate is in the tank.

mr.reef24

 

[RoastReef]

I would remove the crushed coral a little bit at a time. You could siphon it out when you're doing a water change. This well help get all the crap out that has settled in to the coral without stirring it up.