SouthDown is down-right filthy!
- Thread starter Josh's Reef
- Start date
esmithiii,
Thanks for the info before about the CC change over to Southdown. I finally dedicated some time to change it yesterday. It is all settled down but I have to go back in and arrange the rock since I have been unable to arrange in a sand storm. It was a very stressful event and your recommendations helped and made it easier to accomplish. I took all the CC out did not end up saving the CC by putting it in nylons to let the life out. Probably not a wise choice, but like I said, it was stressful and I wanted it done.
I haven't researched it yet, but are there any recommendations on live sand kits? I would like to get one with worms, pods and such. I don't want to wait for the live rock to end up seeding it, will take too long. I don't really know any people in my area with reefs so am looking to order. And like above, I did not wash any of the sand but the sand went into an up and running tank.
Thanks for the info before about the CC change over to Southdown. I finally dedicated some time to change it yesterday. It is all settled down but I have to go back in and arrange the rock since I have been unable to arrange in a sand storm. It was a very stressful event and your recommendations helped and made it easier to accomplish. I took all the CC out did not end up saving the CC by putting it in nylons to let the life out. Probably not a wise choice, but like I said, it was stressful and I wanted it done.
I haven't researched it yet, but are there any recommendations on live sand kits? I would like to get one with worms, pods and such. I don't want to wait for the live rock to end up seeding it, will take too long. I don't really know any people in my area with reefs so am looking to order. And like above, I did not wash any of the sand but the sand went into an up and running tank.
I followed the advice I was given by esmithiii on this thread CC -->DSB
I was able to complete the change over in less time than it took esmithiii (about 3 hrs for me) as quoted in the thread. I went and got some rubbermaid containers, filled them half-full with the pre-made water from a 32 gal trash can. I then pumped water out of the tank and into the containers leaving enough room for LR, corals, fish. I then proceeded to drain most of the remaining water and then scooped out the CC. I left about 1" of the water in the tank and added the sand. I then started pumping water back into the tank and started moving the live rock back as the levels in the containers lowered. The bad part is is that you cannot see anything in the tank because of the sand storm. This was the stressful part. I carefully put all the corals back in. Then the fish. Then it was a matter of waiting for the water to clear. Today I will be arranging the rock.
Keep in mind that I only have about 50# of LR, 5 fish and about 10 different mushroom/polyp corals and an open brain in a 72 us gal. Everything is open eventhough they are in different locations/water collumns.
I was able to complete the change over in less time than it took esmithiii (about 3 hrs for me) as quoted in the thread. I went and got some rubbermaid containers, filled them half-full with the pre-made water from a 32 gal trash can. I then pumped water out of the tank and into the containers leaving enough room for LR, corals, fish. I then proceeded to drain most of the remaining water and then scooped out the CC. I left about 1" of the water in the tank and added the sand. I then started pumping water back into the tank and started moving the live rock back as the levels in the containers lowered. The bad part is is that you cannot see anything in the tank because of the sand storm. This was the stressful part. I carefully put all the corals back in. Then the fish. Then it was a matter of waiting for the water to clear. Today I will be arranging the rock.
Keep in mind that I only have about 50# of LR, 5 fish and about 10 different mushroom/polyp corals and an open brain in a 72 us gal. Everything is open eventhough they are in different locations/water collumns.
Of course the is some info I left out:
I didn't use any PH or heaters in the containers. The weather was good so I would just work fast. All the fish went into the same rubbermaid containers as the LR/corals. After pumping water from the tank into the rubbermaid containers, I filled the 32 gal trash can back up(approx. 50% new, 50% tank) to make sure I had enough water to fill the tank back up.
I didn't use any PH or heaters in the containers. The weather was good so I would just work fast. All the fish went into the same rubbermaid containers as the LR/corals. After pumping water from the tank into the rubbermaid containers, I filled the 32 gal trash can back up(approx. 50% new, 50% tank) to make sure I had enough water to fill the tank back up.
Phat Fish,
I could start to see the back of the tank after about 4-5 hrs, but still cloudy, like diluted milk. By morning, it was completely clear.
When I first turned on the tank pumps, the skimmer went nuts. After about a hour, the skimmer calmed down and started skimming a watery silty mud. But it was back to normal by morning.
I could start to see the back of the tank after about 4-5 hrs, but still cloudy, like diluted milk. By morning, it was completely clear.
When I first turned on the tank pumps, the skimmer went nuts. After about a hour, the skimmer calmed down and started skimming a watery silty mud. But it was back to normal by morning.
I did the same thing before, And I don't ever want to do it again. Phat fish you are in North Jersy as am I. If you want you can house your fish/ coral in my tank while you do the switch, I think that would take alot of stress off of your back. Btw I have a 90 gallon reef with 250 MH and 5 fish, I will be upgrading to a 255 once it is cycled.
Hoping to have it ready for inhabits by Thanksgiving.
Tracey
Tracey
Thanks Katspaw, but I did a small water change yesterday and added a small amount of sand to my tank, 50lb to start. half southdown and half carribsea( to get a mix of grain size). Holly sh-t the southdown made my tank look like milk while the carribsea which went in first did nothing. For the 100 dollars it might be worth it for me not to create any unnecassary stress. My fish are worth alot. By the way ifyour looking for a dual 400watt retro, I have one I havnt used sitting in my basement. It would be alot cheaper than going to Aquatropics. Who do you buy your livestock from? I am in Randolph, west on 46 or 10.
I experienced the same problem with the dirt in SD sand a couple of years ago. I even called to complain about the foreign particles included in the bags I purchased from Home Depot.
I was told by SD that they do not recommend the sand for aquariums as from time to time it does contain materials such as gypsum and other products that they bag in the same line.
In addition, I heard of a hobbyist finding the remains of a rodent in one of the bags.
I would rather spend a couple of dollars more and know what I am getting, and more important what I'm putting in my aquarium.
I was told by SD that they do not recommend the sand for aquariums as from time to time it does contain materials such as gypsum and other products that they bag in the same line.
In addition, I heard of a hobbyist finding the remains of a rodent in one of the bags.
I would rather spend a couple of dollars more and know what I am getting, and more important what I'm putting in my aquarium.
Phatfish,
I appreciate the offer,
) what are we talking for the 400watt MH's. I am getting myself in all kinds of trouble building my tank.
I was talking to another reef buddy last night and he said why not light your sump and use it for a frag tank, since I will be losing mine to the sump on this new one. I said not a good idea because that is where all the dosing/ top off water, etc go so I wouldn't want to be putting them there. Then the idea hit me, I will have room on the otherside of the tank for a frag set up that can connect into the main tanks filteration system. But I will need lights for it.
I am almost completely broke building this tank you understand. the amount of equipment on it is amazing. I figured it out that if I put a 30 gallon frag tank (I can go bigger) then I will be moving 425 gallons of water thru this entire system. Now that's a lot of water. Geez ihope nothing ever leaks.
Oh I generally order online, But in the beginning I went to absolutely Fish then aquatropics. And I still get the bug every now and then to go look and buy fish food after seeing the prices of the corals
Tracey
I appreciate the offer,
Tracey
Phat,
The coudiness has no advers affect on the fish. Have you ever been to the beach after a storm? It is much worse, and the fish survive fine.
As for seeding the sand, I recently upgraded to a 180G with a new sand bed. After 1 month it was teeming with life. The liverock is enough to kick it off. If you want to add a kit I am sure it couldn't hurt and might add some diversity to the tank but in my opinion it is not worth the dough.
I will reiterate that I don't believe that the cloudiness has any adverse effect on the fish. As for using Carribsea, the only thing that I will say is that the particle size is critical, and anything that doesn't make the water cloudy probably has particles that are too big to be most effective as a DSB.
Also, you will have mini-sand storms for the first couple weeks anywhere the sand gets disturbed. After a couple weeks, the bacteria will coat the sand and you will not have that problem. I was told that same thing before I started but didn't believe it because any minor disturbance clouded the water for a couple hours. I believe it now, though because I can really dig in the sand and the disturbance settles in less than 2 minutes.
GL, and don't worry about the fish and corals. I did burry a cleaner shrimp that I couldn't catch.
E
The coudiness has no advers affect on the fish. Have you ever been to the beach after a storm? It is much worse, and the fish survive fine.
As for seeding the sand, I recently upgraded to a 180G with a new sand bed. After 1 month it was teeming with life. The liverock is enough to kick it off. If you want to add a kit I am sure it couldn't hurt and might add some diversity to the tank but in my opinion it is not worth the dough.
I will reiterate that I don't believe that the cloudiness has any adverse effect on the fish. As for using Carribsea, the only thing that I will say is that the particle size is critical, and anything that doesn't make the water cloudy probably has particles that are too big to be most effective as a DSB.
Also, you will have mini-sand storms for the first couple weeks anywhere the sand gets disturbed. After a couple weeks, the bacteria will coat the sand and you will not have that problem. I was told that same thing before I started but didn't believe it because any minor disturbance clouded the water for a couple hours. I believe it now, though because I can really dig in the sand and the disturbance settles in less than 2 minutes.
GL, and don't worry about the fish and corals. I did burry a cleaner shrimp that I couldn't catch.
E
Also, forgot to add that I have yet to see the claims of purity complaints validated. Everything I have read from those who have had direct, personal experience dealing with SD have said that there is no problem using it in a reef tank, but that if they know it is for a reef tank they will want to charge you more for it.
E
E
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