I cleaned my sand really well.

[Mark Novack]

It's just a decorative bed. Not many critters, the fish eat anything they find. I siphoned out as much as possible, got out 99% of the detritus but what I really didn't like was all of the stony bits and shell pieces that always accumulate on the surface so I strained it through a wire food strainer. Wow, I removed about a half liter of chunky bits. Now it looks like a Maldivian beach. I have no biological concern for the deep cleaning as the two wrasse and triggers ensure it turned over regularly. It to about 30 minutes to screen it.
Mark

 

[Ron Reefman]

Some of us just leave that stuff in the sand.

 

[eag]

Pictures please!

 

[Mark Novack]

Some of us just leave that stuff in the sand.

I was bored. Plus it was really ugly. A big distraction. It's like cleaning your living room but leaving the floor filthy.

 

[Mark Novack]

Pic.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I was bored. Plus it was really ugly. A big distraction. It's like cleaning your living room but leaving the floor filthy.

Sorry, I snorkel a lot in the Florida Keys and I see what a natural bottom looks like, and it's nothing like my clean living room floor! ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[Mark Novack]

Sorry, I snorkel a lot in the Florida Keys and I see what a natural bottom looks like, and it's nothing like my clean living room floor! ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

I love to snorkel. No place here in Belgium but I visit Mauritius and Maldives for everything aquatic. I'll be choosing one or the other when travel is sure and not chancy due to the pandemic. I'd love to be near a tropical environment.

 

[eag]

I love to snorkel. No place here in Belgium but I visit Mauritius and Maldives for everything aquatic. I'll be choosing one or the other when travel is sure and not chancy due to the pandemic. I'd love to be near a tropical environment.

Given your region, I highly recommend the Red Sea. Sharm El-Sheikh has some of the best diving in the world. The reefs are incredible and much healthier than those found in the Maldives right now. Tied for the best dives of my life, hands down. Many of the reefs are also accessible to snorkellers.

Tank is beautiful thanks for sharing!

 

[TriggerFinger]

Beautiful tank!! What do your triggers do to keep the sand mixed?

 

[Mark Novack]

Beautiful tank!! What do your triggers do to keep the sand mixed?

The Picasso never stops grazing and takes mouthful after mouthful depositing it everywhere. The Odonus imitates it. Of course the wrasse (is wrasse both plural and singular?) stir it to forage and sleep. When they forage, the whole population is there to profit but there is nothing. In sifting I found one little worm. Tossed it in and it didn't make it one second. They say feed what the fish eat in two minutes. They would eat a roast beef in two minutes. Evidently, they are my fish!

That said, the rock does keep a good population of various pods, but only the smart ones. There are also huge Tectus that thrive and some smaller snails that seem to know not to leave the rock. There are also a large Zebra and a medium Snowflake moray. They eat only off the feeding tongs. Shrimp, mussels, North Sea clams, and scallops from the grocery.

Mark

 

[Mark Novack]

Given your region, I highly recommend the Red Sea. Sharm El-Sheikh has some of the best diving in the world. The reefs are incredible and much healthier than those found in the Maldives right now. Tied for the best dives of my life, hands down. Many of the reefs are also accessible to snorkellers.

Tank is beautiful thanks for sharing!

I know about Sharm. I have some Belgian friends that go yearly. It is a good idea to look into it as I love the idea of walking to the dock end and being on the reef. I've done quite a bit of diving but I never got certified. I always go with PADI's. I don't travel enough for a certification, but when I go I go BIG. Still, I've snorkeled since I was 5 years old and love it.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Hey guys, consider adding some input here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/snorkeling-collecting-discussion-group.412414/

I started the thread and I'm always happy when people add on or post photos or even tell us they enjoy the thread!