your thoughts

[DaveL]

So, my tank has been set-up for alittle over a year, and unfortunately I was not a member when I started my tank. When I first put it together, I knew nothing about rock standoffs, so the bottom of my rockwall is under the sand. I was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to do that now? it would mean removing about 120lbs+ of rock to do this. I'm willing to do this, but do you think the benefit is enough to risk shocking all my tank enhabitants? Keep in mind there is a years worth of crud back behind those rocks I could get at if I did it. Who knows what I would find back there?

[110galreef]

If you have the time....and you really want to change it.....then go for it. Should definitly clean up the water.....specially long run. I recently did mine and it's not bad. I had my rock on top of 3" of aragonite and CC and decide I just wanted a very shallow sand bed, needed to get a few fish out, and redo the coral layout for the soon coming SPS.

This is not to bad of a project.

Get yourself a few powerheads, and some rubbermaid bins, and heaters. Start siphoning/pumping water into the bins. As water level drops put the soon to be exposed rock into the bins. Net fish when all rock is out.

It took me about three hours to get all out of my tank. Then about 5-6 hours to redo the rock and add the water.

Here is a thread of my project. http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=62514

HTH!

[DaveL]

did your tank cycle again? and if so, how bad was it? Also how long had your tank been set-up before you did this?

Do you feel it was worth it?

[110galreef]

It was up for three years, untouched. The tank was down for two days. You probably could have yours done in a day as i polished mine while it was empty. The shorter the better for a new cycle.

If it did cycle again, it was minimal at most. Never had any issues. Basically picked up where it left off. Everyone faired well.

[110galreef]

Oh you should have seen the $#!@ that was in the sand under the rock .

I had about 150# of rock in my tank as well. I probably had 125# of sand/CC/aragonite and only reused about 20#. Just enough to cover the bottom with about 3/4". I don't care for a BB look. Plus the tank is for me not the fish and corals!

[DaveL]

anyone else have an oppinion?

[gwen_o_lyn]

I have a shallow sand bed with my rock pushed into my sand and never had any problems after going almost 3 years.
What kinda sand bed do you have now?

[DaveL]

aragonite 2-3inches thick

[gwen_o_lyn]

Ok then either way I don't see you having much a problem. Just make sure you keep the sand stirred very well and that there are no dead spots. I have a large cleanup crew and a sand sifting goby to help keep my sand moving all the time.

[DaveL]

I have 2 dusky jawfish, but they seem to keep the same home for the most part. I think I'm going to do it so my snails and sandsifting star can get under there atleast. Also I heard someone mention priming pvc to camoflage it, is this safe for the tank?