Is this the start of the ugly phase?

[homer1475]

The biomagnet clarifyer stuff. It's a flocculant not a bacteria stimulant.

either way, were derailing the OP's thread.

And arguing on the internet is pointless.

 

[bestfishes]

A Diamond watchman goby is a good add right now to help with the sand stirring. Sand sifting snails, crabs and shrimp will help you at this point. Also consider adding copepods, anthropods and rotifers. All good at getting things stable and settled for the long term.

 

[The Farmer]

It does cost more, but if the op was comfortable buying said live sand then it is what it is lol
Back to the ugly Stage

 

[scott_r]

Been there lol, I just used a baster and would slowly work the sand bed and turn it over a bit. Worked well for me.

 

[Titleist1964]

Speaking of caribsea.

I'm sure at one point it did have live bacteria, but lets be real here. It was bagged, god knows how long ago, sat in a warehouse for god knows how long, then sat in a truck/airplane/etc for transport to your supplier, where it again sits for god knows how long before you buy it.

Do you really believe anything is still alive after all that time?

Agreed, I did a lot of reading an research before I opted to go with real live sand, direct off the Gulf Coast of Florida, my tank was beaming with life, and what came out of the LR/LS from TBS was amazing. Yea a couple hitchhikers I removed but none the less I'm pleased.

 

[Hannahmunt]

Been there lol, I just used a baster and would slowly work the sand bed and turn it over a bit. Worked well for me.

Should I leave the tank to go through the stage or can I clean the glass?

 

[The Farmer]

You can clean the glass.

 

[scott_r]

Should I leave the tank to go through the stage or can I clean the glass?

I have a weekly maintenance routine that I follow no matter what's going on. I do a 10% water change along with working the sand bed and blowing the rocks free of detritus. I also do all my water tests same day. KH I test every 2 days. My tank is only 6 months old though, Once it matures I may not be quite so anal. I also spot clean glass whenever I see green...usually every day or so. I hate the look of an unkept tank..but thats just me. Cheers!!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have a weekly maintenance routine that I follow no matter what's going on. I do a 10% water change along with working the sand bed and blowing the rocks free of detritus. I also do all my water tests same day. KH I test every 2 days. My tank is only 6 months old though, Once it matures I may not be quite so anal. I also spot clean glass whenever I see green...usually every day or so. I hate the look of an unkept tank..but thats just me. Cheers!!

It's important to build good tank maintenance habits early. Kind of like a lot of other areas in life, if you routinely keep up with things, it makes it a lot easier to handle any surprises. Plus, if you do need to miss a cleaning, test day, etc from time to time, you have a solid baseline to know if things start looking off and should be able to get back on track quickly.

 

[Tom Does Disney]

Should I leave the tank to go through the stage or can I clean the glass?

Always always always clean the glass. every day inside and out. No matter how bad your tank looks, SUPER clean glass makes its 30% better IMO instantly

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Always always always clean the glass. every day inside and out. No matter how bad your tank looks, SUPER clean glass makes its 30% better IMO instantly

And it keeps you from needing to break out the scotchbrite to get rid of algae buildup!

 

[Hannahmunt]

Always always always clean the glass. every day inside and out. No matter how bad your tank looks, SUPER clean glass makes its 30% better IMO instantly

I clean it every morning Without fail, can’t stand any dirt on the glass