Blow off rocks or not?

[Falcon53]

Is it generally necessary to blow off rocks if nutrient levels are normal?

I am amazed at how much crap comes off my rocks every weekly water change when I blow them off. And it never seems like there is less crap...I am wondering if all I am doing is making my sand dirtier...

 

[skiergd011013]

I have always done it, i like stirring things up. Gives the skimmer a chance to get it etc. I definitely dont do it on any schedule, just kind of as i feel like it.

 

[DeniseAndy]

To keep nutrients under control, blowing off rocks and vacuuming sand is necessary to some extent. If we had all the creatures to stir it up as they do in the ocean, it may not be necessary, but we do not. So, best to do it or detritis can build up too much. I have to do this in my smaller tanks (40 and 6) more than my main one.

 

[MaiReef]

I do this whenever I can. I used to pull my water changes from my sump, but changed to the display mostly so that I can stir everything up and pump it out as much as possible. I stir up my sand too. Tank is 4 plus years without a crash, but I think getting the more junk out the better.

 

[Mikedawg]

Free coral food

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I use a turkey blaster on my tanks twice a week. Even if I only do a couple rocks.
I always stir it up before the water change, though.

 

[Charles4400]

+1 turkey bast at least some rocks during every water change.

 

[Neo Jeo]

I want to tagalong on this when I blew my rocks off today a bunch of white stuff came off the rocks it looks like calcium buildup maybe it’s whites summer like long pieces that looks like fish poop .. what do you think it is ?

 

[Pntbll687]

I blow off the rocks every so often. I do water changes once every few months, so in between I make sure I stir the sand a little and blow off the rocks.

Don't normally run socks, but after blowing off the rocks I add them in for a few days to catch all the crap.

 

[Reefer Deez]

I agree I do it to just to stir everything up and hopefully the skimmer will get most of it. If I feel lazy and don't do it I feel guilty for not doing it. So it's just a pice of mind to help keep the nutrients as low as possible

 

[K. Steven]

Every month, I use a MJ1200 on an extension cord and point it at all the crevices of the rock and catch everything in a filter sock. It's important to me to keep them clear of accumulating detritus.

 

[vio]

I use a turkey blaster on my tanks twice a week. Even if I only do a couple rocks.
I always stir it up before the water change, though.

I do 2 to 3 times a day, i like it , corals also.
Detritus in my opinion is #1 enemy for Reef Tanks.

 

[Robink]

+1, I use a turkey baster to blow off my rocks and stir up the sand every week before my water change.

 

[Neo Jeo]

So what would all that white stuff be called?

 

[vio]

So what would all that white stuff be called?

I guess........a Good Detritus , left over food and some scalp from rocks , full of Good staff , corals love it. lol.

 

[Neo Jeo]

I guess........a Good Detritus , left over food and some scalp from rocks , full of Good staff , corals love it. lol.

Why is it hard and white? I dont think its good lol

 

[tthouston]

I do 2 to 3 times a day, i like it , corals also.
Detritus in my opinion is #1 enemy for Reef Tanks.

Look like you have nothing to do for all day.

 

[vio]

Why is it hard and white? I dont think its good lol

i think is like some powder from first coat of Live Rocks , most like full of Carbonate ,Strontium , Calcium etc. there is some Nitrification Bacteria family that work on Rocks surface may disturb or remove that stuff , the main point , Corals love it.

 

[vio]

Look like you have nothing to do for all day.

Ha, ha,ha ,
Yes , u 199% wrong.
If u inspect performance , sleep will be the worst.
Try to see what may improve grow and healthy coral . If you got.......time.

 

[Lighthouze08]

i think it's good to blow stuff off your rock, i'm just too lazy to do it