Substrate question, upgrading tank

[chiqui bb]

I will be upgrading soon from 55 to 90 and want to use my existing substrate (aragonite from CaribSea). I also want to add more new aragonite. I understand that the old sand will seed the new but what is the correct procedure? Do I place the new sand at the bottom and the old on top or the other way around? Does it matter?

 

[reeffreak]

I really don't think it will matter.Heck even mix it altogether.

Rinse the old sand in new or old saltwater and don't forget it may start a cycle.

 

[Smitty]

Cool! You can add the new sand in first, and then place your old sand on top of it...make sure you rinse it well in some old saltwater.

 

[yote]

Just rinse the old sand until your not getting any more gunk out of it,then add it how ever best suits you.

 

[meshman10]

I just upgrade from a 55 to a 90 and this is what I did. 1st I set up the 90 with water and 2 bags a LS in the back of the tank to place my LR from my DT on.2nd over the course of about 2 weeks I gradually added LR from my DT (with no coral's) on it.3rd bought a 12 pack on a friday night, transfered the fish ,put the LR with coral's in, now the 55 was empty except for the sand, scooped, rinsed, and done.I Iost nothing,by that I mean my anenome didn't even move off the rock it's been on sense I bought it...oh, I set my sump up at that time as well with 2 gallon's of mud and 1 bag of crushed coral and some small LR.. and by the way is that a horse your setting next to? I mean my god I thought my akita's were big dog's ..lol

 

[chiqui bb]

Everyone is recommending that I rinse the existing sand but I worry about the effect this will have on my sand sifting starfish. I'm still a few weeks away from the process. Waiting on the stand to be built.

meshman10: Those are great danes and they are big, arent' they. Wish they would get a job and contribute to the food expenses!!

 

[yote]

Rinsing the sand is only going to remove the waste thats built up in it.Which SHOULD prevent you from having a huge ammonia spike from stirring that cude up.

 

[drew00c]

Also by rinsing the sand it removes a ton of dust particles in it. I remember adding 100 pounds of sand to my freshwater tank thinking that I didnt need to rinse it and low and behold I couldnt see inside the tank for almost 3 days lol