DO YOU GUYS VACUUM YOUR SANDBED??

[PeterB113]

Hey guys so I started the hobby 7mos ago and ever since then every week when I do my waterchange I ALWAYS siphon my sandbed. I watched a video from Fragbox last night and there saying to never vacuume it. I don't really understand why? In my head I would think you NEED to vacuume it to remove waste and detritus that has settled. Please let me know what you guys think.

 

[Spieg]

Yes, but only twice a year. One half of the sand bed in January and the other half in July.

 

[Doreno]

Fragbox last night and there saying to never vacuume it. I don't really understand why?

Maybe because bacteria in sand bed eating detritus and after this detritus is not more problem?

 

[PeterB113]

Yes, but only twice a year. One half of the sand bed in January and the other half in July.

And what's the reason you only do it twice a year??

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Not at all

 

[PeterB113]

Yes, but only twice a year. One half of the sand bed in January and the other half in July.

Also do you think me vacuuming it every week will cause a problem in the tank?

 

[reddevilant]

I don't vacuum but I do stir it up a bit before a water change. I've read that you should either do it relatively frequently or not at all if you haven't touched the sand because the built up nitrates and the anaerobic sections in the sand can be problematic.

 

[Spieg]

And what's the reason you only do it twice a year??

That's when I do my water changes (@20% system volume each time).

 

[PeterB113]

I don't vacuum but I do stir it up a bit before a water change. I've read that you should either do it relatively frequently or not at all if you haven't touched the sand because the built up nitrates and the anaerobic sections in the sand can be problematic.

Would you recommend that I stop siphoning it? Or because I've been doing it for so long I should just stick to it?

 

[Jbell370]

I don't vacuum it, I stir it up once a week or so when I put new socks in then turn my pumps on high.

 

[Uncle99]

Keep in mind when you vacum substrate for Detrius, you suck up the good guys as well.
With lots of good guys in the substrate, mine stays clean.

 

[reddevilant]

Would you recommend that I stop siphoning it? Or because I've been doing it for so long I should just stick to it?

I'm no expert as I haven't been in the hobby much longer than you but if you've been doing it and your nitrates don't spike afterwards you're probably good to keep doing it. You probably don't have to vacuum it but at least stir it.

 

[PeterB113]

I'm no expert as I haven't been in the hobby much longer than you but if you've been doing it and your nitrates don't spike afterwards you're probably good to keep doing it. You probably don't have to vacuum it but at least stir it.

Does your sandbed stay really white for the most part? It's mainly the only reason I vaccume it because I want a nice bright sandbed.

 

[Dbichler]

Either way is acceptable. Do it or don’t. I personally vacuum the whole bed every 3 months and have never had a problem. I’m guessing if you do it frequently you’ll never have an issue. If you never do it and then do too much is when problems seem to arise.

 

[reddevilant]

Does your sandbed stay really white for the most part? It's mainly the only reason I vaccume it because I want a nice bright sandbed.

Other than the minor cyano bloom I recently, yeah it stays clean and bright.

 

[Sean W.]

I vacuum my sandbed every 2-3 weeks when I do my 30% water change.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

I have been doing it on my weekly water changes and just getting the spots the siphon can fit in but this thread has convinced me to just stir it. So thanks guys.

 

[Doreno]

Check this tank https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-of-the-month-july-2021-tusis-amazing-sps-reef-revisited.806/ - 12 years without vacuum cleaning

 

[reddevilant]

I have been doing it on my weekly water changes and just getting the spots the siphon can fit in but this thread has convinced me to just stir it. So thanks guys.

Yeah, the main reason I just stir it is because I have a really fine grain sand and its a pain in the butt to siphon it since it gets picked up so easily.

 

[PeterB113]

Check this tank https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-of-the-month-july-2021-tusis-amazing-sps-reef-revisited.806/ - 12 years without vacuum cleaning

Wow looks awesome