dirty sand

bolt696

bolt696

Member
Hi,
I was looking for some advice on cleaning my sand. As you will see in the picture elow, it gets pretty dirty. I have a pyton type hose and I find when I try to get the sand clean, it sucks up all the sand because the are such small particles. I asked the pet store when I got the set up if I should put in an undergravel filer with power heads, and he said "don't waste your money." It is a 55 galon tank. I only have 10 snails and 5 crabs. I just ordered about 40 more (assorted cleaner package). Is this what my problem is?
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
I've found that a diverse clean-up crew....crabs and snails...along with diversity of micro infauna within the sand bed all combine to help keep mine clean. I don't vac mine at all...ever.
I encourage tthe clean-up crew and assorted pods/worms etc to keep things clean.
 
bolt696

bolt696

Member
this worm you are talking about. Do they burrow in the sand and turn it around. That would be great. What is it called?
 
T

thomas712

Guest
bristle worms and others would be of benifit, like the speghetti worms.
I would also like to know what your turnover rate is for this tank. If you have enough water flow then the detritus should stay in suspention and removed by your filters instead of just laying on the bottom.
Got a nitrate problem?
Thomas
 
bolt696

bolt696

Member
no nitrate problem.
As for my filter, I use a ehein 2217. I am looking into types of protein skimmers as well.
that is all i have 55 gal tank.
 
bolt696

bolt696

Member
any recommendations on one. I would rather not have the one that goes in the tank. I think they make some that hang outside?
 
jacknjill

jacknjill

Active Member
the ones that go in the tank are made for a sump lol.
anyways, i have a 55 and i use the CPR Bak Pak 2 skimmer
 
motohead

motohead

Member
personally i think sand that is a lil bit dirty adds to the look of the tank.not dirty to the point of problems,just a bit to throw off that glaring white.maybe i am stupid.i just like the look of a natural tank versus a manicured one.is that dumb sounding?:notsure:
 
bolt696

bolt696

Member
not dumb sounding, but I just don't want to have water problems because of the dirt. Clean is healthy I would think...
 
motohead

motohead

Member
well for the most part,unless you have something happening that throws your tank into a major cycle,most water quality problems can be eliminated and prevented by regular water changes.i just vac the sand,change 25% of water a month and the biggest problem i have had was a nitrate level of 12.5 which is not really a problem anyway.i am thinkin about vac once a month and doing a 5 gal change a week.
 
bolt696

bolt696

Member
i also run into a problem when i vac. the sand is so fine that it gets sucked up and clogs the tube?????
 
clarkiiboi

clarkiiboi

Active Member
You shouldn't vaccum the sand, disturbing the sand that much is not the best thing to do :nope: I have used air line hose though when I needed to, its a PIA but very little sand is removed. The three things mentioned here are a start...1. the diverse clean up crew. The worms, pods, and such can be introduced from a scoop or so of sand from another mature tank with those critters already present and they should multiply on their own. Either ask a friend or a member here, you could also ask the LFS if you could have some of the crud left over from I believe the curing tank, correct me if I am wrong. 2. A protein skimmer is a part of reefing, I have heard nothing but good about the CPR Bak Pak 2 for your size tank, as suggested. Trust me, dont get a cheap one, they will be garbage and money lost. 3. I will ask also, what is the turnover rate? Like mentioned by Thomas, if the rate is up enough it should be suspended and removed by the filters. Sorry so long winded, I still haven't mastered giving the short version. :D
 
reefeel

reefeel

Member
I get a dark brown encrusting algae on my white sand. I have a clean-up crew that rarelly goes on the sand. So what I do is vaccum 1/4 of an inch of sand on the top and rinse it out.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Powerheads would help alot to make that detritus stay in the water column, I would also suggest a couple of HOB filters.
Thomas
 
T

thomas712

Guest

Originally posted by bolt696
What do you mean by turn over rate. Filter galons per hour? If so it is 264 gallons per hour
This should be at least 550 gph on a 55 gallon tank. Thats a 10 times turnover rate.
 
wocka

wocka

Active Member
thats what my sand looks like!!! i have no parament problems along with a skimmer, 2 conchs, 6 hermits
 
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