replacing substrate

[bskerrichard27]

In my 55 I wanna replace the substrate I have about 100 lbs rock in dt and 15lbs in Sump what's the best way to go about this without causing a cycle tanks a year old

 

[RussellC]

In my 55 I wanna replace the substrate I have about 100 lbs rock in dt and 15lbs in Sump what's the best way to go about this without causing a cycle tanks a year old

Slowly.

Were it me, I'd replace 25% of the substrate, then test parameters frequently. If all goes well, a week later, I'd replace another 25%, etc..

If switching out 25% of the substrate touched off a mini-cycle, I'd wait until two weeks after the cycle reestablished itself, and then reduce the amount of substrate being changed out at any one time.

At 25% I would imagine that any recycling you do get will be relatively small, short-lived, and easy to manage.

Good luck!

 

[RussellC]

Slowly.

Were it me, I'd replace 25% of the substrate, then test parameters frequently. If all goes well, a week later, I'd replace another 25%, etc..

If switching out 25% of the substrate touched off a mini-cycle, I'd wait until two weeks after the cycle reestablished itself, and then reduce the amount of substrate being changed out at any one time.

At 25% I would imagine that any recycling you do get will be relatively small, short-lived, and easy to manage.

Good luck!

Just to follow-up:

I'm a freshwater, not saltwater, but I imagine the logic behind replacing substrate slowly applies equally to each environment.

I did, however, want to point this out in case you wanted to wait for someone with actual saltwater experience to answer before embarking on your plan to change the substrate.

Best!

 

[Schism]

Well you are correct.

Slow is better. Also replace with dry sand not live sand. If you replace with live sand then expect much larger mini cycle.