Moving contents of existing tank to new one..Sand Bed question -> do I need one in a 30GL AIO?

[joe-ejs]

Hello.

I am replacing an existing 29gl old school tank with hang on overflow with Jtube going to a sump. I am replacing it with a AIO 30GL that I picked up. My plan is to move everything except the sand bed to a rubber maid storage container while I do the switch (same day exercise).
- I plan to use all new water that I will make to match salinity, temp, etc of existing tank parameters.
- i am not going to use existing sand bed. I plan to dispose of it.
- I will transfer everything to new tank same day.
- currently only have 2 Clowns and a Cleaner Shrimp in tank. This is not my primary display tank but rather a second tank, I will most likely add 1 or 2 additional small fish over time,

My question is what should I do about a sand bed. Should I go without a sand bed or add the new sand bed?
- with this being a AIO tank with no sump, do I need the sand bed to support the biological filter system or will live rock be enough (can add more if need be).
- What are the benefits or challenges if I do not use a sand bed for a tank this size?

Any advice is appreciated. My question comes from the fact that this is a smaller size tank so not sure what the impact would be in either option.
Thanks!

 

[brandon429]

No you don’t need it at all your plan is fine, see this recent example:

Algae/Cyano Issue Not Improving, Help Please?

Hi all, I have a Red Sea Reefer 250 that has been up and running for 8 months now. My issue is a strange black algae\cyano growth that has plagued me for the last two months+. I have been treating as follows: cleaning gravel twice weekly 20% water changes twice a week Addition of beneficial...

www.reef2reef.com

that was instantly made into bare bottom.

 

[brandon429]

The notion that sandbeds are a required, integral part of filtration was smashed here at reef2reef

the hobby has had a long-standing myth that removing surface area must be done in increments

such as removing a filter, or someone’s remote sandbed, to give time for bacteria to migrate to other surfaces. This does not occur

Removing remote deep sand bed

I setup a removable deep sand bed in my sump 9 months ago but now I’d like to remove it to give me more room in the sump. What do you think the impact to tank chemistry might be and how to mitigate any negatives?

www.reef2reef.com

you may have fish that like a sandbed but it’s not a bacterial or param issue to not have one.

 

[joe-ejs]

The notion that sandbeds are a required, integral part of filtration was smashed here at reef2reef

the hobby has had a long-standing myth that removing surface area must be done in increments

such as removing a filter, or someone’s remote sandbed, to give time for bacteria to migrate to other surfaces. This does not occur

Removing remote deep sand bed

I setup a removable deep sand bed in my sump 9 months ago but now I’d like to remove it to give me more room in the sump. What do you think the impact to tank chemistry might be and how to mitigate any negatives?

www.reef2reef.com

you may have fish that like a sandbed but it’s not a bacterial or param issue to not have one.

Hi Brandon429,

Excellent reading. I was hoping that was going to be the recommendation. I would prefer to go without a sand bed in this tank. Nice explanation as attached. I can have my sand dwelling fish in my other tank that has a sand bed.

Thanks for your quick feedback!

 

[reefiniteasy]

I just did a tank transfer. I used 10 gallons of the old water. I was advised here and elsewhere to not take the sand but to use some of the old water. Overall it was an easy process. Have fun!