How should i get rid of my gravel to put sand in?

[H2oH2o]

I currently have crushed coral for my saltwater tank bed, and its a pain, nothin ever cleans it, whenever i attempt to clean it, it sturres up a cloud. I want to replace it with live sand, how should i do this? I really dont want to have to take out all my live rock and coral to do this.

[snulma1]

You can't do it all at once. If you do that, you will definitley start up a mini-cycle and kill off everything.

I would do a few lbs at a time, and when you do it, also do a water change. And keep a close eye on your parameters.

[laserjim]

I would syphon it out a little at a time,over a week or two period as not to cause an ammonia spike from removing bacteria.Then take a piece of pvc and put in down to the bottom of the tank and slowly pour the new sand in through the pipe.That might help out on the sand storm.Never tried it,read it here on a thread. Good luck!