Moving an existing sand bed to a new tank

I'm currently in the process of hopefully selling my current tank so i can upgrade to another one. In the mean time i have to store my current livestock in a 4 footer we have lying around which isn't that much of a big deal.

The main question i have is that in moving a sand bed i've heard its possible to stir up 'bacteria' and create a mini cycle ? Whats the best way of avoiding/minimizing this. The livestock we have at the moment is relativity hardy. A Damsel and a yellow tang.

Furthermore some of the rock is starting to get bad algae, my first question is should i remove it in a fresh or salt water dip ? and will this 'kill' the live rock ?

Sorry if they are noob questions. I just want to cover all my bases.
K+ for helpful comments as always

 

If you freshwater dip the rock, you will kill it and definitely cause a cycle. Check your nitrate and phosphate levels and reduce them. How deep is your sand bed?

 

You will have a small cycle when disturbing the sand so I. Would say the length its out of water and ammount its disturbed will make for some raised nitrates. It's better the having dead sand and rock but you. Will spike in some areas.

 

Sand bed is about 1.5-2 inches deep. The algae started when we lost a bit of livestock in a mini-crash. As we then decided to get another tank, due to kitchen renovation i left and was like i'll nip it in the butt when we change tanks - it however bloomed a bit .

Will a clean in saltwater prevent to much die off. IE: tooth brush on the offending bits of rock ?

 

Yeah it should. That is a method I have used successfully. If you move the sand bed leave some water in the tank and let that rinse the sand as you remove it. Don't take large areas at once.

 

When i upgraded from my 90g to my 200g, I used all new sand, except for a few cups of live sand from the 90g.

if you want to re use the old sand, I would suggest using melev's reef's suggestions for rinsing existing sand for use on a new tank.

Melevsreef.com - Rinsing Sand