Adding an Aquascape 2 years later to a deep sand bed

[Ozzyfrank]

Hello,

I've had a 200-gallon fish and invert tank for about 2 years now. Currently, there is a minimal amount of rocks and habitat. I want to get more fish soon, so I made an aquascape using 110 pounds of macro rock.

Here's what I'm wondering... I have a deep sand bed about 2-3 inches deep that has never been vacuumed. I've never done it for fear of releasing hydrogen sulfide. But when I put the newly created aquascape in the tank, I will have to disrupt the sand ( so it will be stable and less likely to fall).

Should I vacuum the sand bed before I install the aquascape or just put the rocks in?
I'm leaning towards vacuuming the sand bed because the sand has never been disrupted, so I don't believe there is anything decaying that could produce hydrogen sulfide.

Is this a good plan?
Thanks!

 

[Dan_P]

Hello,

I've had a 200-gallon fish and invert tank for about 2 years now. Currently, there is a minimal amount of rocks and habitat. I want to get more fish soon, so I made an aquascape using 110 pounds of macro rock.

Here's what I'm wondering... I have a deep sand bed about 2-3 inches deep that has never been vacuumed. I've never done it for fear of releasing hydrogen sulfide. But when I put the newly created aquascape in the tank, I will have to disrupt the sand ( so it will be stable and less likely to fall).

Should I vacuum the sand bed before I install the aquascape or just put the rocks in?
I'm leaning towards vacuuming the sand bed because the sand has never been disrupted, so I don't believe there is anything decaying that could produce hydrogen sulfide.

Is this a good plan?
Thanks!

2-3 inches is probably not considered a deep sand bed.

Why were you thinking of vacuuming the sand now?

Is your sand cemented together or still loose and flowing?

 

[Ozzyfrank]

I was thinking that adding the aquascape would be a big disruption to the sand bed, so I figured vacuuming might lessen the disruption.

The sand is loose and movable.

But now that you got me thinking, I may not need to vacuum the sand because my clean-up crew does a good job of cleaning the sand, so I could just slowly wedge the aquascape into the sand and vacuum after the aquascape is in place if needed.

Thanks.

 

[Johnnyracer]

Id think disturbing the sand at the same time as adding new rockwork may be too big a stress event for the tank. Id vac the sand, then add new rockwork a week or so later, just to keep everything safe and ammonia free. Good luck, let us know how you make out!