Cleaning sand

[ivycharlaine]

I've consistently been having Nitrates problems the past few months. It never goes lower than 20. Does anyone else siphon their sandbed?? mine is only like 1.5 inches deep and I siphon it during every water change (every other week). Is this my problem?

 

[mkroher]

You shouldn't even touch the sand.
That's what snails, hermit crabs and other members of a "clean up crew" are for.

 

[nolanrob123]

That could be your problem right there. If you want to clean the sandbed get a diamond goby or something of the like. Stirring the bed can cause a mini-cycle and high nitrates.

 

[ivycharlaine]

Originally Posted by mkroher
http:///forum/post/3110275
You shouldn't even touch the sand.
That's what snails, hermit crabs and other members of a "clean up crew" are for.
so what kind of harm am I doing by siphoning the sand?

 

[mkroher]

any decaying matter that is in the sand gets stirred up into the water.
leave it be and let your critters take care of it.

 

[imarkspeed]

get sandshifter stars they do a great job and also sea cumbers