Small tank, Small problem

[s14joe]

Whats up everyone, Ok, I started my 20 gal a few weeks ago and everything is going great except that my sand doesn't seem to want to finally settle this is what is in my tank
4 turbo snails
5 hermit crabs
1 yellowtail damsel
1 neon goby
5 lbs live rock
1 1/2 inch sand bed
I don't have any powerheads or anything else that would stir things up besides the digging goby and the damsel getting brave once in a while. I have cleaned the glass a bunch times but in a day it just comes right back. Please let me know if i'm doing doing something wrong or if I need more time for the sand to settle properly. Thanks, Joe

 

[sandman12]

one of ur inhabitants(how ever u spell it) has to be doing it, Iam sure that behind some lr someone is sturring it up. Yes they call it live sand but it doesnt acually move on it's own

 

[s14joe]

Oh man, you are a joker, don't loose your day job J/K Yeah, the goby is a digging machine. However, I plan on adding a bunch more live rock so maybe it will cut down on the sand movement. Will a powerhead help prevent the sand sand from settling on the glass if the water continues to circulate? I mean it probably will. It so annoying to have to clean the glass everyday.

 

[doodle1800]

What kind of sand?
- are you using a filter?

 

[slofish]

has your tank cycled? if not, you may be in the middle of your cycle. Its normal to have lots of algae on the glass until the cycle ends(anywhere from a couple of days to weeks)

 

[beaslbob]

I agree the dirty glass could be algae. Have you tried leaving the lights off for a couple of days? If it starts to clear up then you definately have algae.

 

[doodle1800]

I think he's talking about the film on the glass from the sand.

 

[s14joe]

yes, I'm using Southdown Tropical playsand and I do have a filter. It's kinda filmy w/ pods on the glass also and now I have noticed the emergence of baby snails. It's all interesting but I'm just wondering if the sand will not be on the glass so much. Going tomarrow to buy some more live rock to help settle things down a bit.