How can I clean detritus from my tank?

[Be102]

I’m currently in the process of adding a sump, but I have such a horrible case of detritus and pretty much always have. I have two power heads a mp40 and a Koralia 850 that I use to brush stuff off my rocks but it’s insane how bad it is. I have a pistol shrimp and goby pair whom definitely do not help at all cause there’s always some sand blowing but it gets everywhere from my coral frag rack to all my rocks.. whenever I blow it around it it seems to take forever to go away and even then it’s still floating in my tank. Do people use the vaccums? Any ideas?

 

[Palyzoa]

Siphon it out with a hose during water change. You can use a turkey baster to blow crevices of the rock and hold the hose next to it to suck it right up.

 

[Be102]

Siphon it out with a hose during water change. You can use a turkey baster to blow crevices of the rock and hold the hose next to it to suck it right up.

I actually do try this.. just doesn’t seem to really do much or atleast it’s not noticeable at all.

 

[Palyzoa]

fast forward to 1:35

 

[mcarroll]

Those pumps are very soft. Sounds like the flow is inadequate for the tank.

What size/dimensions is the tank?

 

[Be102]

Those pumps are very soft. Sounds like the flow is inadequate for the tank.

What size/dimensions is the tank?

Standard 65 gallon. Should I move my power heads ? I just ordered a new koralia 2450 and should be here Saturday

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Looks like the foam guard on that MP40 hasn't been cleaned or changed in ages. That will really reduce its flow.

 

[reefwiser]

Easy way is to use a turkey baster and go around and blow water on the rock work and clean it off I also use a
KollerCraft TOM Mr. Cleaner Battery Operated Gravel Siphon That I have modified using a piece 1/2" electrical conduit that I have cut to the depth of my tank.

 

[reefwiser]

Easy way is to use a turkey baster and go around and blow water on the rock work and clean it off I also use a
KollerCraft TOM Mr. Cleaner Battery Operated Gravel Siphon That I have modified using a piece 1/2" electrical conduit that I have cut to the depth of my tank.

 

[Be102]

Looks like the foam guard on that MP40 hasn't been cleaned or changed in ages. That will really reduce its flow.

I actually do clean it off with water changes and whatnot. However do you recommend taking the guard off? Always been afraid of something getting sucked in.

 

[Be102]

Wow... talk about increasing the flow.. just removed the fish guard and put it as high as I usually do and everything blew around. Didn’t realize it cut so much flow off / shouldn’t really be used..

 

[mcarroll]

Mechanical filters always need to be cleaned "as needed" vs "as we want"....at least in a reef system. That's one of the main reasons so many of us (most?) don't use any.

 

[Be102]

Mechanical filters always need to be cleaned "as needed" vs "as we want"....at least in a reef system. That's one of the main reasons so many of us (most?) don't use any.

Very well said.

 

[mcarroll]

You still might like the mp40 on the back better – it should perform better there and you can hide that motor! Then the Hydors can live on the sides.

Just for perspective, you can rock this tank with "merely" four Turbelle® nanostream® 6045's. They're an AC pump, but only $78. Two on each side, placed almost wherever you want (try hiding them!) and on timers so they alternate from one side to the other over a few hours. Like a tide simulation! Works great – corals love it because it's actually pretty realistic! You could sell the other pumps....probably would more than cover the new pumps.

 

[Be102]

You still might like the mp40 on the back better – it should perform better there and you can hide that motor! Then the Hydors can live on the sides.

Just for perspective, you can rock this tank with "merely" four Turbelle® nanostream® 6045's. They're an AC pump, but only $78. Two on each side, placed almost wherever you want (try hiding them!) and on timers so they alternate from one side to the other over a few hours. Like a tide simulation! Works great – corals love it because it's actually pretty realistic! You could sell the other pumps....probably would more than cover the new pumps.

Ironically I was torn between the 6045 and the hydor... should I cancel my order and go with the 6045? Also where exactly could I put the mp40?

 

[mcarroll]

Personally, I would. (But I honestly haven't used the new Hydor's....just a huge 6045 fan.)

Anywhere on the back glass, above your rock line could be fine. I imagine centrally located would be more ideal, but you should experiment!

 

[Be102]

Personally, I would. (But I honestly haven't used the new Hydor's....just a huge 6045 fan.)

Anywhere on the back glass, above your rock line could be fine. I imagine centrally located would be more ideal, but you should experiment!

I’ve never really thought about putting it on the back.. I suppose I have just didn’t really think it would be as effective. I have to test it out

I actually cancelled my order for the hydor and figured I’d try the 6045. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[MrWheelock]

This is such a great thread! I have pretty much the same issue, I have to turkey baster my rocks quite a bit, but what I like to do is run my syphon hose down into a temp filter sock so the sock catches everything and I can syphon for hours really. I think I'm just afraid to put too much flow in my tank. I know all you stick heads will say there's no such thing, but I have mostly soft corals and LPS.

 

[IronChefItaly]

I’m currently in the process of adding a sump, but I have such a horrible case of detritus and pretty much always have. I have two power heads a mp40 and a Koralia 850 that I use to brush stuff off my rocks but it’s insane how bad it is. I have a pistol shrimp and goby pair whom definitely do not help at all cause there’s always some sand blowing but it gets everywhere from my coral frag rack to all my rocks.. whenever I blow it around it it seems to take forever to go away and even then it’s still floating in my tank. Do people use the vaccums? Any ideas?

I like to keep a really clean tank. My weapons against detritus are flow, filter socks, watchman goby and a turkey baster. Rockscape and inadequate flow are probably the two biggest factors leading to detritus issues. Using all of these tools together, I find it completely unnecessary to siphon my sandbed.

 

[EriksOasis]

Flow and good filtration will keep detritus out of your tank. Also clean up crews help with keeping the sand bed clean.