[webdr]

2 1/2 years later, its time to replace the bed. Im going to need to do a 100% water change cause im going to clean the back walls of the tank that never get cleaned too. Do I have to cycle the tank when doing a 100% water change and new sand bed??

 

[jenajet]

If water params are good, take 50% of the water and put it in some buckets. With this and your lr you should have a very small cycle if at all. Just a suggestion.

 

[theplatypus]

I wouldn't do a 100% water change. This is the method I would use. Siphon off as much water as possible and save it in a large trashcan or similar. Remove all of your rock/livestock and put that in the bin with the water. Clean the tank, add the new sandbed, replace water,livestock, and then top off with new ASW.

 

[ChrisPrusha]

Good luck!

 

[webdr]

thanks u2! Thats what Ill do this sunday

 

[Hardhead Cat]

Platy is right, that's excellent advice, exactly what I did when I replaced the sandbed in my 135-gallon. I saved as much water as I could, put the LR and other odds/ends in the buckets with the water and threw away the old sand.....well, actually, it's in my garden now (smile).
Good luck!

HHC

 

[Geoff]

when doing this make sure you keep the orientation of the LR the same as it was in the tank. the topside facing up. it is also a good idea to drop a PH in there to keep water moving so the water does not go anoxic on you.

i prefer to keep as much water as possible. even doing this you will prolly end up doing at least a 25% water change. 100% water changes are not bad if you have done them before, just a bit riskier for what you are planning on doing.

do not add corals or fish back to the tank untill the temp and salinity have settled out.

G~

 

[zxcv123]

make 29 gallons of salt water just incase, drain the tank into buckets and put fish and rock and corals in the buckeats. drian the tank downto about i inch from the sand. bed. Get a wet dry shop vac, and suck out all the water and sand left. While ur there clean the back walls, add new sand(extreamly well rinsed/ cleaned) , put back water and add any nessecary make up water.