Swapping fine sand for cichlid sand (need advice)

[JoeBel]

Hi,

I've read so many "gravel to sand" threads but haven't seen many "fine sand to heavier sand" posts. I'm going to be swapping out my 60lbs of Caribsea Moonlight sand for Eco Complete African Cichlid sand in my 55g. It's an established tank running 2 AC 70's for the past 8 months.

After messing up 2 AC's I've decided this sand is way too fine. I'm familiar with the cichlid sand and know it's much heavier granules and will hopefully work better for me.

I had a few quick questions:

- how badly will it effect the tank cycle if say 80% of the original sand is replaced with the new sand?

- if I turn off the filters and take out the fish to make the swap, how long do I have before any bacteria begins dying off?

- for anyone who has ordered the sand, I've heard it comes in water and it doesn't need rinsing, is this true?

If anyone uses the cichlid sand and has AC's or any other HOB's, please chime in with your positive/negative experiences with it. I'm just sick of having to replace impellers because of this fine sand, the PH buffering will also help.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[Toby_H]

-how badly will it effect the tank cycle if say 80% of the original sand is replaced with the new sand?

Provided you do not destroy the bacteria on the décor or in the filters… I wouldn’t expect more than a trace spike that will take care of itself in a couple of days… not much to worry about. Naturally I would suggest watching water parameters (esp ammonia) for a few days to ensure that happens…

I would do my best to get 100% of the sand out… the more you leave the less your filters will love you…

- if I turn off the filters and take out the fish to make the swap, how long do I have before any bacteria begins dying off?

I’ve read that the bacteria starts to die off at 24 hours and the colony will die off in 48 hours. I’ve put the 24 hours side of this to the test on many occasions and I also find that bacteria can live without food for 24 hours with almost no effect… I’ve not put the 48 hours side of that to the test…

- for anyone who has ordered the sand, I've heard it comes in water and it doesn't need rinsing?

, is this trueI’ve never personally used this sand… but the theory is that this is “live sand” meaning it is typical inert sand but with living bacteria in it. If you wash the sand you will wash out the bacteria leaving only inert sand (inert meaning just plain old “dead” sand).

I haven’t used Eco Complete (I’m a SA/CA guy) but I’ve used both fine and course sands… I will never use fine sand again. I can’t afford to :S (replacement parts are expensive).

 

[JoeBel]

Thanks so much for the advice, appreciate it.

I'm hoping I can get as much of this fine sand out as I can, but it's super fine, I would vac it out put my python doesn't have great suction.

I have read a few places that the eco complete cichlid sand does come in water, but I've also read how people have gotten and rinsed it, so I'm not sure. I would think that, as you mentioned, you shouldn't rinse so you'll keep it "live".

I guess I'll see when I get it. I'm with you on never using fine sand again, I'll be psyched when I don't hear that impeller grinding anylonger.

- Joe