Keeping Sand Bed Clean?

[gveng]

What are you using to keep your sand bed clean?

 

[mchain275]

I use a combination of Nassarius Snails and Fighting Conches for a biological solution, though sand sifting stars are also a good choice for larger tanks. The best solution though, in my opinion, is the occasional syphon vacuum as part of regular water changes.

 

[jaxcarnage]

100g; Diamond watchmen goby & sand sifting star fish

 

[Dipan00]

187g tank Diamond goby and Sand Sifting star here also.

 

[Coloredrock]

Here is what I do. If you have a deeper sand bed i would ignore this as you could do more harm than good....or just do sections at a time.

Turkey baster.

• 1 teaspoon of Calcium Carbonate to 1 cup tank water per 50 gallons. (I add Microbacter7 if I see any cyno havent since i cleared it up the fist time.)
• Stir it up.
• Turn off Return and Skimmer but keep Flow pumps (powerheads) going. for 30-40 mins
• Clean glass
• Turkey baster.... sand bed. Mine is 1-1.5 inches.
• Dose Mixture. System will go cloudy white. Fish Hid but come out after it clears.
• Keep flow pumps (powerheads) Running for 30 -40 mins.
• Turn Return pump Back on
• Turn Skimmer back on.

My system (350 gallon water volume) clears in about an hour. swap socks.

Once every week or 2..... or as needed.

https://reefsite.com/extreme-water-clarity-made-easy/

 

[laverda]

Very interesting. Never heard of this before. Seems like a lot of trouble to clean the sand bed.

 

[dattack]

I am not entirely sold on calcium carbonate. I have used it a few times but I really don't see the difference in clarity. Maybe it's just me. I might have to try it again possibly with added bacteria.

 

[Coloredrock]

I did it to clear up a cyno bloom when I added rock from another established tank... it takes me like 5- 10 mins to do my sand bed.... my 280 is very lightly stocked (need to fix that but $$$) New fish only hide so long... Kinda like that new piece of whatever she buys.... I do notice it eventually.

It works for me... skimmer likes it so I will keep doing it till it doesnt.

 

[drexel]

Dude, I have a tiger tail cucumber you can have when you're ready. Oh, come get some chaeto soon.

 

[Jimbo327]

I think an army of nassarius snails and conch would be a great combo.

 

[lazycouch]

the methods depend on tank size. i personally just vac my 30g, and have some hermits picking up wandering food or cleaning up the grains of sand individually.

 

[Jimbo327]

LOL. I added like 30-40 small nassarius vibex snails into my tank to help with sand cleaning, but I think my wrasse ate them all as I don't a single snail left.

Anyone have extra sea cucumber? I haven't seen any in the LFS near me. I think Ellis Aquatics have some for $25, and I might have to drive there...but wanted to check here first.

My sand bed is filthy.