Do yall vacuum sand with every water change?

[Susan Edwards]

so far on the new tank no, as it is too clean so no water changes yet. But I do rake the sandbed every 2-4 days. So far have not had any detritus issues. When I start water changes, it will be awc. 2-3 gal a day automatic

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

no

 

[Spieg]

Yes, but I only do water change about twice a year. I alternate vacuuming half the tank so sand on each side only gets vacuumed about once a year.

 

[MikeCrown]

I vacuum parts of my sand once or twice a week. I do about 20% water change a month and every gallon I take out is used cleaning the sand.

 

[ApoIsland]

I would like to as I see how much waste it accumulates whenever I move the tank. Just too lazy to do it. Would also be very difficult to reach more than 1/3 so don’t see the point really.

 

[brahm]

No, depends on how frequently I’m changing water and the time I feel like spending, sometimes I’ll do it for a few months with every water change sometimes I won’t. I’d say on average I shoot for once a month

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

My "sand" is also of the larger variety calcium reactor media. Critters and corals can vacuum it if they want.

 

[Sshannon]

Yup. Vacuum it every water change. There is a surprising amount of mulm under the sand

 

[Scp]

always for 27 years

 

[Quietman]

Never really considered a sand bed cleaning had to be done with WC. Did a lot of quick 5 min WC early in tank life. but if sand bed needed a cleaning I'd do it. But since I stopped regular water changes (4 months) I still clean sand bed into sump sock if needed (maybe monthly). Stirring sand bed daily and good CUC really helps prevent much need for it though.

 

[McPuff]

I don't do water changes often but when I do I want them to matter. I will siphon out sediment in the sump, or in the bare bottom tank. For my display, I will do some portion of the sand every few months. Then do another portion a week or two later. I'd say maybe 4 times a year I try to clean part of the sand. One area is probably 5" thick so I don't mess with it.

 

[Arego]

Yes, all the time. I regret not having done it sooner. Just for looks and a crash pad for a lot of wrasse.

 

[Jeffcb]

What water change? I am getting a guilt trip now. I guess I need to do one soon but wont be vacuuming.

 

[blazn]

I stir most of the accessible sand bed with an acrylic rod prior to performing weekly water change and about every other time I'll vacuum a small portion of the sand bed.

 

[Schraufabagel]

I vacuum the top layer every time

 

[Dana Riddle]

Nope. The very fine sand I have does not allow much, if any, detritus to accumulate. There is enough flow in the tank that keeps fish poop suspended. Tiger conchs keep the sand stirred as well.

 

[Idech]

If haven’t so far, the tank has only been running for 4 weeks. With previous tanks, I wasn’t enclined to do it much. With my cleanup crew and the Allen’s damsel constantly rescaping the sandbed, it does get stirred a lot.

 

[cloak]

I apologize for not reading through the entire thread, but I only have about an inch, maybe an inch and a half of sand in my tanks. I like to stir up a small portion every six weeks or so right before a water change. GL.

BTW I do this with my finger, not a python. I want to save as much microfauna in the sandbed as I can.