bridget111188
Reefing newb
What is the best way to clean a sand bottom in a tank? I have heard about poking holes, sucking up with a vac etc How do you do it?
Cleaning a sand bottom?
- Thread starter bridget111188
- Start date
Aquarian
Reef pro
Once a month I clean a small area of my sand bottom with a vac. I never vac the entire sand bed at one time.
mariobrothersleeve
squirrel
I sift through mine one a week. I dont like the packed down look. It only takes about 5 minutes, but i dont rely on my cuc for controling it.
bridget111188
Reefing newb
Ok so you run your fingers through the sand once a week? never vacing it? what about the gasses?
mariobrothersleeve
squirrel
It doesnt build up like what one would if left for months. Its very minimal in my system because i do it frequently. If you have not touched it for a while, only do it in sections at a time.
I have never used a vaccuum on the sand, that is what my sump is for after cleaning.
Keep in mind, if you use a sand substrate, it will make a mess on the lr which then would include turkey bastering it off.
Ive seen alot of people leave their sand beds alone, but i just personally like the look of muck build up in the substrate. This is my preferance by far and may not be the only option out there. Good luck
I have never used a vaccuum on the sand, that is what my sump is for after cleaning.
Keep in mind, if you use a sand substrate, it will make a mess on the lr which then would include turkey bastering it off.
Ive seen alot of people leave their sand beds alone, but i just personally like the look of muck build up in the substrate. This is my preferance by far and may not be the only option out there. Good luck
I try leaving mine alone, but my tank was so neglected when we got it that I had to pull out all my LR and vacuum the whole sand bed. I did it in stages though first I vacuumed one quarter than a few days later I did another, than a few days later I did the last. But now I have it under control I only plan on doing small bits with the vacuum.
AnthonyTheNewbie
Reef enthusiast
I bought nassarius snails, and a diamond watchman goby. They sift my sand and clean it pretty well.
mariobrothersleeve
squirrel
I am unsure about the goby!
When i had mine, i was hoping it would die because i swear that it would go to the clam and dump all the sand on top of it. They do stir the sand up well, but they make huge messes imho.
They are awesome discussion pieces! :-)
When i had mine, i was hoping it would die because i swear that it would go to the clam and dump all the sand on top of it. They do stir the sand up well, but they make huge messes imho.
They are awesome discussion pieces! :-)
AnthonyTheNewbie
Reef enthusiast
Yes, they are haha. I took all the sandbed corals out of the 55 he's in. So, I don't worry about him spitting sand on anything anymore :p
bridget111188
Reefing newb
Ok so only small sections at a time. Good to know. Thanks
