Sand...
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60785
Printed Date: October 08 2025 at 9:23am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sand...
Posted By: Moosetang
Subject: Sand...
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 9:06pm
| When you guys do water changes, do you vacuum the sand bed as well? I never had because I heard it was bad to disturb the bacteria. Thanks in advance!! |
Replies:
Posted By: larseb
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 9:15pm
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I do, sand can trap some pretty nasty stuff. Sometimes I just stir it. but be careful I have heard that if you mess with a sand bed that hasn't been vacuumed or stirred it can crash a tank if not done properly.
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Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 9:21pm
| What is a proper way without causing harm? |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 9:47pm
| I stir my sandbed a couple of times a week; thus, I'm not letting it get "icky"!! |
Posted By: builderofdreams
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 9:54pm
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If you want to clean the sand bed that has never been cleaned then do it in smal sections at a time over a 2 week period depending on the size of your tank. The larger the longer.. I fluff the top 1in-layer of the sand(for lack of a better term) but never all the way to the glass. ------------- It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 7:22am
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I thoroughly stir my sand bed 2-4 times a month using a turkey baster. I have done this since day one with all my tanks. The amount of crud build up is unbelievable. How old is you system? If you've never done this, you'll want to start very slow. Maybe 1/5 to 1/8 of your sand bed at a time. I would suggest at one week intervals or longer. ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 8:00am
| Just over a year. Yea I've been told to not do it at all. Then I was at my LFS and saw them doing it to there tank. My system is just over a year old. I'll start a slow, slow cleaning. Thanks guys! While on topic, can I add live sand to my system? |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 8:12am
I don't see a need to add live sand -- the sand you have is already live. If you are wanting more sand in the tank, I'd think you could just add dry sand. Your existing live sand will seed any new dry sand that you add. How deep is your sand bed?
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Moosetang wrote:Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 8:26am
| Well I do want a deeper sandbed. Currently it's about 1/2-3/4" deep. I think the guy that helped me when I first started this hobby really didn't have a clue. I'm just noticing things on other tanks and looking for ways to improve my system. |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 8:32am
| With such a shallow sandbed, if it is really dirty, I'd probably siphon a small amount out with the water changes and add your replacement sand to the area you siphoned. Once you have clean sand again, if you keep it stirred it shouldn't get dirty on you. Corals generally like it when you stir up the sandbed cause its feeding time for them! |
Posted By: builderofdreams
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 8:34am
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If you want to add sand to a pre existing system then you have to add it the same way. Small Areas over a period of time. If you add it all at once you can sufficate the life in the sand and cause all sorts of hate and discontent.
One thing to keep in mind is nothing ever good comes out of doing anything fast to these systems. Shy of removing Amonia ------------- It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post |
Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 9:24am
| Would it be live or dry sand that I would add? |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 9:30am
If you want to pay the extra bucks for live sand, you could add live sand, but since you need to add it gradually whatever live sand you purchase is not going to stay "live" during this process. Personally, I think live sand is overrated, particularly when you already have sand in your tank.
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Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 9:59am
| Where could I find dry sand? Just the LFS? I really appreciate all you help guys! |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 10:14am
| Yes, you can find bags of dry sand at the LFS. Look around and see what kind of sand you like. Sand is sold in different grain sizes and actually different colors (some is really really white, some has a pinkish tone, some is more tan color, and then there is black). If you have an opportunity to view different tanks ask what sand they are using and find a sand that you really like. |