In keeping with the "I don't want to ruin his post" philosophy.

Nope, I don't see. I took advice from trusted people with ideas that
make sense. Not from complete boobs that vomit words with no evidence
at all, other than "Try it, it'll work".

I don't expect that the OP should believe what I have to say. I have no
evidence either, I state that(you don't). I want the OP to read my post
and say, hmm there's an idea that kinda makes sense and it worked for
him and the other poster, who had to move a long way. I'm going to do
an internet search and see if others did the same thing...or maybe
altered that plan a bit. When I saw your post, it didn't make sense,
why would countless people do useless water changes....then I find
articles saying things like :

Water change

Old tank syndrome symptoms can be an effect of insufficient water changes.

Which can be read about he
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/10/aafeature

that article says...scientists, in a lab, did the exact studies you were
thinking of, and found that....you are full of s***

So, I chose not to believe you.

If the OP finds things saying, don't carry sand and a little water in
your tank, it will break. I expect that he'll come back and say, dude,
you shouldn't tell people to do that....it's a bad idea. I will then
listen like a normal human being.