relocating a dsb

geologeek · 09-08-2005, 02:09 PM

has anyone ever moved a dsb (approx 4 inches) to a new tank?

mine is in a 2 foot section of my sump which i would like to move to a new location....is it posible without destroying bacteria population?

any sugestions would be appreciated.

levi

kb.bear · 09-08-2005, 05:27 PM

I did it monday the receiving tank was a 125 and the dsb was about 12"X12" the main tank went cloudy for about an hour,and the smell was horrable the skimmer went nuts, now every thing is back to normal but personaly after the fact I think it was a bad idea

Matt Rogers · 09-08-2005, 06:01 PM

I've done it. I kept it wet by leaving it in a cooler with enough water to cover it. I didn't have any problems.

kb.bear · 09-08-2005, 07:58 PM

How old is it?

amcarrig · 09-09-2005, 07:55 AM

I would replace the sandbed entirely but that's me

Jason McKenzie · 09-09-2005, 08:26 AM

I just move my tank, including the sand bed. I am now restocking my tank. Everything died and the only thing that could have caused it was the sand.
there are alot of nasties in a DSB that are in various stages of decomposition. If you're new tank is going to cycle for a bit before anything live moves in I don't think you'll have a problem. But if it's a quick switch over I think you should avoid it

J

boostenmkiv · 09-09-2005, 12:05 PM

I recently upgraded to a larger tank and avoided bringing over my wonderfully stocked with fauna DSB due to larger worries...I occasionally go "fishing" for mini brittle stars, bristle worms, amphipods or anything small and safe that I can bring over from my old tank before totally de-commissioning it.

Mike

DaxAlbrecht · 12-16-2005, 11:02 PM

I would replace most of the sand with new stuff but still add some (no more than half I'd say) of the old sand to re-establish your flora and fauna. As far as upseting your bacteria population goes, when you move the old sand you will lose the denitrifying bacteria because you will be disturbing the anoxic zones. The nitrifying bacteria will be fine, and the denitrifying bacteria will regrow in time.

Jay · 12-17-2005, 01:18 AM

I just moved 2 55 gallon reef tanks 350 miles. Both with DSBs of 4-6 inches.
This is the way I did it and it really helped clean it up. Get one of those tall 5 gallon buckets if you can but a regular bucket will work great. Fill the bucket half way with clean saltwater. Pour the contents of 1 5 gallon bucket of used dirty sand into the half full bucket of clean seawater. Do it slowly scooping with your hand so all the gunk from the old sand bed falls through the water. This will allow all the crap to float in suspension. Keep scoop/pouring slowly till the water in the bucket starts overflowing onto the ground. Continue this till all the sand is transfered to the bucket. Now carefully pour out as much water from the bucket as possible out onto the ground. Do this with all your sand. I had 4 buckets of sand. When you are done with this fun project repeat the process again with clean saltwater for each bucket just like before. Doing this will keep 75% of your fauna and bacteria and clean out 75% of the detritus and gunk that accumulates in the sandbed. You will be left with very white clean sand with much of the bacteria and fauna. I did this with 2 55 gallon tanks just this month and it worked nicely. I got the instructions from a guy who just moved his reef aquarium store where he has 3 1000 gallon seperate systems. Each system with probably 20 50 gallon tanks all with sandbeds.
Tip for you. When you pour the water into the tank put a black trashbag in the tank covering the sandbed. This will help keep the sandstorm to a minimum.

Good luck
Jay

geologeek · 12-25-2005, 02:48 PM

cant believe i missed this but thanks for the info.

jay i like your style and will follow this method.

replacing sand is not realy an option as it has only been set up for six months and anything that is remotely reef orientated in these parts adds a heafty premium to the price!

levi