Question about cleaning sand...

bama_sarah

bama_sarah

New Member
When you do water changes do you use the gravel vacuum to siphon out water and to vacuum the sand? Or do you leave the sand bed undisturbed and just siphon out water? I previously used crushed corral and vacuumed it but want to use LS this time around. How do you keep the sand a pretty clean color? The cleaning crew I have been reading about? Thanks!!
 
acez28

acez28

Member
from what i have learned......dont mess with the sand bed. You will disturb the microorganisms
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
Don't vacuum LS, you'll have a real mess. Yes...a good cleaner crew and proper water parameters along with the critters in the sandbed will keep it clean. :D
 
joker_ca

joker_ca

Active Member
dont vacuum the sand and dont put in a sand shifting star it will eat all the critters in your sand bed just siphon out the water, also you could try some nassarius snails to turn over your sand bed
 
wwfstyle

wwfstyle

Member
Whats wrong with a Sand sifter star fish? I have had one for awhile now and only see him 1 every 2 weeks. I have a 75 set up. Should I get rid of him? If so....... why?
 
spline9

spline9

Member
Sand sifting stars will eventually eat up all the critters in your sandbed rendering it useless as a biological filter. You may be ok with one in your 75 (the tank may be able to replenish as fast as the star eats) but in my 29, all the worms and pods just disappeared. :( I had to sell him to the LFS for some credit. Made me sad because I liked the guy.
 
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