How do you clean sand?

[danenelsen]

Hello,

I have A LOT of algae growing on my sand. I got a tip from my LFS that I could clean it with a siphon. Is that a good idea? What are some other options?

 

[Troylee]

Sure can.. you can place a filter sock in your sump and gravel vac your sand to keep the water or do small areas during a water change..

 

[danenelsen]

Sure can.. you can place a filter sock in your sump and gravel vac your sand to keep the water or do small areas during a water change..

Ok! The stirred up sand won't affect any inhabitants, will it?

 

[j.falk]

Emphasis on small areas...don't clean all of the sand bed at one time. That can cause problems you don't want.

 

[Troylee]

Ok! The stirred up sand won't affect any inhabitants, will it?

Don’t do the entire tank in a day.. do a 1/4 of it like once a week..

 

[danenelsen]

Don’t do the entire tank in a day.. do a 1/4 of it like once a week..

Thank you!

 

[ReefEco]

A gravel vac like the Python is very useful for sand bed maintenance...

 

[jda]

I would not do more than 1/4 of it a year. The anoxic bacteria and things living in the sand are part of the ecosystem and are the final piece of the nitrogen cycle. If you want to do the top little bit, then that is different. If this is bothersome, then a cucumber, conch, etc. can clean sand if your nitrates are not too high.

 

[Double monti 61]

Get a good clean up crew! Look to smaller inhabitants of your system that live in the sand and rock to help control your algae

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Use Nassarius and Cerith Snails in the Aquarium. One of these days, I’m going to pick up a Fighting Conch that’s small. When I want a count of the Nassarius, I just put a small piece of Shrimp or Fish in my Vege-Clip. BTW, Red Leg Hermits will eat Nassarius, so far the Blue Legs haven't touched the Nassarius or Ceriths.

 

[Bo2022]

Get sea cucumber, although they looks ugly but their cleaning ability are decent.

 

[danenelsen]

Get sea cucumber, although they looks ugly but their cleaning ability are decent.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[christwendt]

Sure can.. you can place a filter sock in your sump and gravel vac your sand to keep the water or do small areas during a water change..

I’ve always wondered wouldn’t this let out all the micro gunk and ammonia back into the tank? Or does a filter sock filter that.

 

[littlefoxx]

Hello,

I have A LOT of algae growing on my sand. I got a tip from my LFS that I could clean it with a siphon. Is that a good idea? What are some other options?

Honestly I have seen disturbed sand beds and it creates a nasty mess. Just my opinion. I had the same issue. I got a sea hare! He is awesome and does a good job in my tank.

 

[Troylee]

I’ve always wondered wouldn’t this let out all the micro gunk and ammonia back into the tank? Or does a filter sock filter that.

Some of it yes! The sock collects most but some does get through that’s why it’s recommended to do bits and pieces over time..

 

[danenelsen]

Honestly I have seen disturbed sand beds and it creates a nasty mess. Just my opinion. I had the same issue. I got a sea hare! He is awesome and does a good job in my tank.

I see on live aquaria that they are expert only due to the fact that they can release toxins into the water. Have you ever had this happen?

 

[jda]

The toxins that you are talking about is hydrogen sulfide. This is not a risk in nearly all tanks. You have to have some special conditions where not only do anoxic bacteria develop, but also they then stop getting nitrate like they always did. It can happen, but I have not seen it in three decades.

You DO NOT usually want to disturb sand, but for other reasons. Somebody probably just mixed it up along the way and people freaked out in the vein of all zoas will kill you with palytoxin, your neighbor spraying for weeds will kill your reef or lotion on your hands will kill corals.

 

[GARRIGA]

My approach is using a canister filter to vacuum the crud vs requiring a WC to remove the crud although latter works. My approach just more efficient as I'm not confined to how much water is being changed although latter not something I bother with and why using canisters more pragmatic. I ensure return directed at surface as I'm also ways concerned with uprooting some sulfur and not 100% sure how exactly dangerous that is. Better safe than sorry and my only concern ever when disturbing the bottom regardless if sand or gravel. Using a wide spout such as the Python helps as it's less upward flow than narrower spout to prevent sand getting introduced into the canister although that can be loaded with floss packed tightly which will help trap what goes in. Best use a canister with just enough force to lift the crud and some sand but not enough to draw the sand in. Haven't used sand since the 90s therefore obtaining the slowest might be best and some can be adjusted such as the Fluvals which can have the flow cut in half.

Alternative is using a powerhead to disturb the sand and have the filtration solve it but as sated earlier. Always concerned I may have disturbed something I don't want floating. Never had an issue but have read where others did. Better safe than sorry.

 

[littlefoxx]

I see on live aquaria that they are expert only due to the fact that they can release toxins into the water. Have you ever had this happen?

Nope. He usually only would do that if threatened or squeezed. Mine I actually have to pick up a lot and move cause he knocks my unglued corals off sometimes! But he is just fine when I handle him and nothing in my tank messes with him. I do supplement his diet with Nori just to make sure he gets enough to eat. They do poop a lot though, but my hermits act like his poop is a Gordon Ramsey type meal so they keep that in check haha

 

[littlefoxx]

He is actually probably my favorite invert in there. His face is cute and he is very cool to watch cause he is pretty fast when he wants to be