"blasting" LR w/ powerheads?

reef dude

reef dude

Member
I was on a website a while back and i saw how they said that it is important to "blast" your live rock with powerheads every once in a while because it blows off all of that brownish silt/dust that accumulates. My tank has reached the 6 and a half month mark and today i decided to aim my powerhead onto a few pieces of my liverock and holy crud!! my tank filled up with dust/silt within minutes. I guess its good in a way because now i know most of that crud will be gone... Was this a good idea or something you shouldnt really do??? I've heard that it has something to do with nitrifying bacteria and the production of "die off" i guess??? Has anyone ever heard of this or done it before??????
 
ntvflgirl

ntvflgirl

Member
Well, I'm doing this right now as well. Only I wouldn't consider my poor powerhead as 'blasting'. Someone on here told me to do this to get rid of the dusty look. Seems to be working, although I am digging a trench around the rock...lol.
 
reef dude

reef dude

Member
ok good, at least im not the only one then! Does anyone know how often this needs to be done or is it a one time thing??
 
waterbury guy

waterbury guy

Member
I don't like to remove my powerheads from the glass that often, so I use a turkey baster for the same effect. I do it about once about every week or two. Cleans off the rock nicley and the tank clears up in about an hour or so.
 
jacksonpt

jacksonpt

Active Member
I use a turkey baster as well. I do it for 2 reasons... to clean of the sand and debris that accumulates on the rock, and to help spread coraline algae spores. I do it when I think of it... probably every couple of weeks or so. Depends on how often I'm in my tank.
 
saltyrich

saltyrich

Active Member
Powerheads aimed across lr is a good idea. It does spread coralline growth. It will not however keep debris from accumulating in smaller areas not meeting with a lot of current.
 
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