284L low tech with dry start

[Geoffrey Rea]

I am hoping I could replace my sand in a similar way without disrupting everything else if I rinse it really well beforehand.

If it’s only a small amount of sand you could just replace with fresh? I mix old sand with our compost for potting plants so it gets more use.

If it’s economy you’re after hoover the sand out into a bucket, replace with fresh and you can clean your old sand at your leisure for the next change out.

 

[Bon MotMot]

Heading in the right direction. Was able to suck up the old sand easily and replace it with new, and there's nothing quite like a razor blade for getting the algae off the glass quickly and completely.

 

[Bon MotMot]

I knew it has been awhile since posting but I didn't realize it was a whole year! Garden and house exterior plus 2 jobs took all my attention for the last several months. I did a half rescape with all the fish still in the tank back in March and it has grown in since then. I have mostly neglected this tank but the fish and shrimp population is stable and by now it is down to easy plants. Crypts seem to like the conditions; I will lean on them heavily in future scapes.