Possible to Replace a Sandbed?

I have a 90 gallon mixed reef which has been in operation for about two or so years, I set it up with black sand originally but have come to dislike it. It has accumulated all kinds of debris and discarded shells which are white and looks pretty messy, also I've decided I like the look of white/beigey sand more.

Would it be possible to replace it little by little(let's say by a cup every second day) and then replace it slowly with new sand once it has all been removed?

 

You would only take a cup out every other day? That would take forever if you have that big a tank with around 2-3 inches consistently...

 

yeah not sure how that would work! But there are a few threads on hw to do it on here! check em out!

 

id like some more info on this too.

 

I'm considering removing the sand very slowly so that the tank isn't shocked, I'm thinking that removing the sanded will adversely affect its ability to deal with nutrients/buffering.

 

If you really want to, I would drain the tank into a stock tank after transfer of all the critters and rock, then scoop out the sand and replace with new. You can do it in about 2 hours. It's a PITA but once you start removing the sand you will SMELL why this is pro. Never disturb a sand-bed deeper than an inch.