changing the sand in an existing tank

Question
just wondering how i would go about changing the sand in an existing salt water tank its a 300 gallon tank and I'm just at a loss

Answer
Hello Michael,

I changed the message to public so others may read the questions and answers..

If you dont take the rocks out you will always have some sand inthere somewhere.  (you wont be able to get it all out)

BUT, you should be able to get most of it out 'easily'.  Yes, that is a subjective..

USe a syphon tube/hose.  You can then just vacuum it right out of the tank.  You can do this over several days or however long you want.  

Just syphon out the sand  and water and do a water change, then a couple days later repeat till you are done.

Not sure if you are 'replacing' the sand with new sand or going with 'bare bottom' or not, but if you are putting new sand back in, that isnt too bad either...

just put the entire bag into the tank, (rinse the bag off with tap water)

then move the bag to where you want the sand, then use a razor blad, and slice the plastic bag flip the bag, dump the sand kind of gently, and pull the empty bag out of the tank..

If you do this well, you wont have too much sand storm, and i guarantee by the time yo are done, you will be an expert at it...


good luck and please let me kno whow things work out for you...


bill



btw:  you can post a blog about this on my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

you will get more feedback and replies from other reefers and members, or chat live with me and anyone else who maybe online at the same time as you...

hope to see you there.