help removing my sand

Not to start an argument, but I've shifted tanks, sandbed and all, several times without any losses, and with "tons of nas snails" already keeping it stirred, I really see no problem. Yes, if you leave the sand undisturbed for an extended period, toxins can accumulate and become an issue, even with a shallow bed, but that's apparently not the case, and that's exactly what sand-sifters are for.

 

I have oodles of new sw ready for wc if need be but im hopping I wont need the huge wc if I vac it real good

 

I think vacing it out would be the best advice BUT! As you mentioned, have that new sw on hand ready to do a massive water change, hell... if you have a way to even transfer some of your tank water to another tank (before touching the sand) temporarily to house your fishies and such; i would do that if needed. I say this because i too have moved my tank now ummm 3 times, first two times went fine, second time i even disturbed the sand bed switching tanks. 3rd time... total disaster. I woke up in the next morning with a dead tank... only thing that made it through was my softies, crabs, and snails... Just monitor your params, have ammonia gaurd on hand and be ready for that water change/Hotel tank if possible...

 

if need be i have afew other tanks available to put the fish in but they are wayyyyyyy undersized 10s nd 20s ....and the new set up (uncycled but i added about 500 gallons worth of bacteria stuff)