Recommendations to clean below surface of live sand.

[scotty37]

Hey guys. I have a 54 gallon corner with about an inch and a half of live sand. I am starting to get a buildup of diatom algae about a half inch from the surface. What do you recommend as something that will burrow in the sand and keep it mixed up and clean. I was looking at sand sifting stars and cucumbers. Any help is appreciated! Thanks

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by scotty37
Hey guys. I have a 54 gallon corner with about an inch and a half of live sand. I am starting to get a buildup of diatom algae about a half inch from the surface. What do you recommend as something that will burrow in the sand and keep it mixed up and clean. I was looking at sand sifting stars and cucumbers. Any help is appreciated! Thanks
I really really like nassarius snails,, always on the MOVE!

 

[scotty37]

I have snails.. I need something that moves the sand around under the surface.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by scotty37
I have snails.. I need something that moves the sand around under the surface.
Nassarius snail, live and eat UNDER the sand, im not talking TUBRO SNAILS!!! :notsure:

 

[scotty37]

my bad... i was thinking turbo. I had heard they sometimes go under but never even thought about those. Thanks!

 

[hot883]

Your trouble is not in the sand it's on the glass. Not one to stir up the sand bed I leave mine alone. I accept it as part of it. You can run your finger along the glass to clean it off, but I do not recommend it.

 

[scotty37]

I cant argue with that point. How should i clean the glass under the sand?

 

[poniegirl]

I agree with the Mayor. Your sand bed is part of your filtration system. Best left to its own devices.
I do not disturb mine, either.

 

[anonome]

If it is just to remove the part that is visible through the glass, I have been using a long handled scraper to carefully push the gunk further in the sand, and my nassarius snails do a marvelous job in cleaning it from there. I don't like seeing that mess either. Be careful not to scrape too hard as to scratch the glass. If you have an acrylic tank, I don't know. Mine is glass.

 

[matt819]

I use a razor blade, and just gently push the blade between the glass and sand. Everything peels right off. The first time I did it I was amazed how good it made it look.

 

[poniegirl]

One of the problems about algae:
When you scrape or in any way dislodge the algae, it becomes a free-floating garden. It does not die or mysteriously dissappear. It lives and shows up elsewhere.
Choose your battles wisely. You really

can't win them all.
I keep a mag in my tank and daily (tease my yellow tail damsel, she hates it) clean the front and down to the sand line.