Moving sand from DT to sump, i have Q's

[1DeR9_3Hy]

The tank:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/jgs240/DSCN1383.jpg


The sump:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/jgs240/DSCN1384.jpg


After talking with someone who has a lot more experience in propagating than i do, he said to remove the sand bed all together and take out half of my rock to free up some space (still debating on whether or not i want to go 100% bb).

Instead, i think i will compromise and move the majority of the sand to the sump and ditch the rest of whats left.

This is probably no big deal, but i have a lot of money tied up in fresh pieces in this tank and i would hate to do something stupid to nuke the whole tank while moving the sand bed. Its only been setup about a month, what should i be concerned with and what would be the best way to move it? I was thinking 1" hose and use the return pump to shoot the water back up while i siphon out the sand?

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Im guessing just shovel it from top to bottom lol

[thegrun]

If it has only been up for a month there should not be much debris in the sand, so shovel away! Actually you should be able to siphon it down to the sump with a 1/2 hose. Run carbon to help clean up the water.

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Thanks, im starting on it tomorrow. Hopefully will have some macro to throw down there with a nice light as well :)

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Im almost done moving all the sand...boy what a chore. Ive been using a 1" vinyl tube about 5 ft long, and while it moves the sand fast... not being able to see into the tank is really slowing me down. I beleive im almost done...but i wont know till tomorrow.