Cleaning Sand In Nano

[tatoush]

Hi All,
Well i've had my new jbj nanocube 12dx set up for two weeks now and my levels spiked and dropped. I have 4lbs of live rock in it now with another 12 pounds coming tommorow. I'm not looking to stock the tank immediately, just incase the new rock causes a new cycle. The question I wanted to ask was regarding the cleaning of the sand substrate. I have cc in my other fowlr tank and this is the first time I am dealing with the sand bed. I have reddish/brown algae all over my rock and in a few spots on the sand. In all of your experiences' what is the best method for cleaning the sand. I've always siphoned the cc in my other tank, but I can't imagine doing it in this tank because of the all the sand you would lose in the transfer. Any help at all would be appreciated.
Lev

 

[jtmaclain]

i dont clean my sand bed. I have a clean-up crew that usually stirs it up a little, but you dont want it stirred up that much because it can release toxins into your water. You could just try and clean the surface just make sure you do not stir it up to much. The algea will die off eventually and you might try running your lights less as this will help. I know you dont have any livestock yet but watch how much you feed them as overfeeding can cause algea blooms. A protein skimmer would help alot too, they make those little ones for nanos that go in one of the back compartments.
hope that helped somewhat

 

[pappy112]

I have too had a 24gallon dx for about 5 weeks now
I have done about everything due to my impatience
But today, finally I brought my sample to the fish store
My ammonia finally went to zero, but my nitrates are up
I did a 5 gallon change and everything is starting to look good
Back a month ago when I put my rock in 24 pounds, this caused my ammonia to spike
So check the rock and keep an eye on the ammonia

 

[sand125]

Originally Posted by JTMaclain
i dont clean my sand bed. I have a clean-up crew that usually stirs it up a little, but you dont want it stirred up that much because it can release toxins into your water. You could just try and clean the surface just make sure you do not stir it up to much. The algea will die off eventually and you might try running your lights less as this will help. I know you dont have any livestock yet but watch how much you feed them as overfeeding can cause algea blooms. A protein skimmer would help alot too, they make those little ones for nanos that go in one of the back compartments.
hope that helped somewhat

my name is austin and i have a 10g tank / the protein skimmer works good

 

[nanomantis]

nassarius snails work well as do hermits

 

[tatoush]

thanks everyone,
i gently combed the sandbed yesterday and wil be adding a sand-sifter to the tank soon.
lev