thanks all!
ya it was a fair amount of work-- sorted out my LR with no growth and tossed it in a bucket, then took the whole sandbed out and washed out the tank completely in the yard... i was concerned that the tank might be shocked by the loss of the established sandbed, but its come back completely and perfectly
chris- - the frogspawn is looking more fabulous every day!! really nice emerald green and purple!! thanks a million (again!)