Sandbed cleaning help

[taintstick]

Let me know what you think. It says it's poly felt. Is that the same think as filter socks? I think it is

Yes sir it is. I guess it's worth a try, do you think it will slow down the flow since they are so much more fine..?

 

[johnyboy]

Yes sir it is. I guess it's worth a try, do you think it will slow down the flow since they are so much more fine..?

That's why I'm debating between the 1,5 or 10 micron rating. I wish there was a video of water flow out of these filters

 

[Mandrew]

When I started vacuuming my sand bed I went from pretty white sand to cyano in a quick hurry... I won't ever be doing that again...

 

[johnyboy]

When I started vacuuming my sand bed I went from pretty white sand to cyano in a quick hurry... I won't ever be doing that again...

It's extremely healthy to vacuum your sand bed. You get all the junk out while introducing oxygen into you send bed while turning it over.

 

[Mandrew]

Which is why I started doing it and my result was a never ending battle with algae. The tank was ugly from then until I tore it down last week lol. Up until then it looked good. I just figured I'd try cleaning the sand bed because I seen it in a BRSTV video... lol

 

[taintstick]

It's always beneficial to clean your sand. If you have an algae breakout, I doubt it's caused by that. My tank was cloudy for 2-3 days because my dam dottyback was kickin the sand around for no reason. Everything was fine, even my nemesis, pink green eye goni. If anything I was the one stressed out! Lol in a way it was very beneficial because I have had no algae at all on my black sand since.

 

[Idoc]

thats cool.
I was thinking like 5, 10 really. setting up my canister takes about 2. The $60 canister clears the water in about 2hrs or less. that's with cheapo blue white floss.

New to this...so sorry if this sounds crazy. But, do you run the canister all the time, or just when you are cleaning?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

New to this...so sorry if this sounds crazy. But, do you run the canister all the time, or just when you are cleaning?

Just cleaning. Also when aquascaping or when stuff is going to get stirred up. Great for sump cleaning too.

 

[CPL376]

A properly charged Diatom filter works wonders as a gravel vacuum

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A properly charged Diatom filter works wonders as a gravel vacuum

Old school rules!

 

[alyee5]

Hey guys.

I'm trying to vacuum my sandbed and have the hose run back into my sump through a filter sock to catch all the dirty dust. everything is working perfect except the dust is getting through the filter sock that my LFS gave me. I was impatient and used the sock and all the dust just got through the bag and clouded my entire tank. I'm really ****** off that they gave me the wrong bag. Is there a certain micro I need for the filter sock? Or anything else I can use that will catch the dirty dust in the sand? I need something that traps extremely tiny particles obviously. I'm using the python siphon and it's doing a great job sucking the dirt out but it's getting through the sock. Help! Thanks everyone.

[emoji225][emoji226][emoji245]

I use the same method as you to do deep vacuuming of my sandbed ie outlet of syphon going into a filter sock located in the sump...I just did this again yesterday using my standard 200 micron filter sock...yes the water was cloudy but clears up in a couple of hours....did yours stay cloudy substantially longer? I spent a lot of time rinsing my sandbed before I put it in my tank...I think maybe that helps...

 

[blusop]

@johnyboy
Hit me up and I'll explain it to you how my method prevents OTS , Cyano , Dino etc....

 

[Kmsutows]

In my opinion I would only filter the top half to one inch of sand. The bottom of the sand bed has a different beneficial macro makeup. In addition, it won't disturb as much and a filter sock won't filter out things that can disrupt the tank. Have you noticed nitrate spikes or other spikes in your system from doing this?

 

[spllbnd2]

Cleaning the sand bed periodically is very beneficial and I usually do it in sections as to not disrupt the beneficial bacteria that much. Most systems with the exception of small nano tanks can make a quick recovery from a quick stirring/ cleaning of the sand beds. I have never noticed any spikes from any of my tanks, even my nanos for that matter.

Although probably the best option is to add some sand sifter critters to your cuc.

Cheers,
Alex