stiring sand bed

Sir Chris · Jul 12, 2017

codydemmel4 said:
Who does this? If you do, when do you do it and why?

If you don't do it, why not? Just because you are lazy or scared to stir up too much?

I currently do not but I am thinking about doing this to stir up the detritus in the DT that the flow is not getting (like in the corners) I am thinking about doing it like once every 2 days that way it is never too much at once. I run filter socks so I am not worried about it collecting in the sump but more worried if it will affect my SPS. I am SPS heavy, but thinking about it I think it may have a good impact on them as it just getting the nutrients (fish poop) more into the system. Unless I am missing something here.

I just posted that above this. Reply. So look up 1 post

Wh00pS32 · Jul 12, 2017

I have stirred (mainly turky basted) every sandbed i've had since 2001.
I'm a very heavy feeder, don't use skimmers and the only mechanical filtration i use is filter floss. This is just my way of stopping detrius build up and has worked well for me over the years.

reefwiser · Jul 12, 2017

I just remove the sand.

George Lopez · Jul 12, 2017

My sand sifting goby does this for me... sometimes too well...

FugeReefer · Jul 12, 2017

I have a few questions.

1) What sand are you using? It looks like a large grain.

2) How deep is your sand bed?

3) How long has it gone without being touched?

gary henkel · Jul 12, 2017

nassarius snails. put a bunch of these in your tank, they bury in the sand, and come out like minions at the first sign of food. fun to watch and stif the hell out of the sand. i probably have nearly a hundred of these guys.

raultsu · Jul 12, 2017

i followed his method. but now i use a turkey baster to stir the sand almost daily

Atif · Jul 12, 2017

My orange spot gobby and sand shifting starfish doing this job very well and after every six month i vacuum it .....

Anthonygee68 · Jul 12, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
If the sand is mostly clean and its fine.

After watching this video, I now clean my sandbed using this method and it's excellent! Always looks clean and is so easy to do!

Scott.h · Jul 12, 2017

I stir mine up at least weekly all the way to the bottom. Some of the sides and the back I can't get to so I place a powerhead behind the rocks towards the bottom to keep stuff from settling. Other tank is bare bottom so I just turn up the pumps for 15 minutes. It's way less work, as that tank is also triton, but I admit I really enjoy the looks of having sand.

sullyman · Jul 12, 2017

Don't mess with your sand. What are you using to filter the tank, why do you need to cycle a tank before you can start adding life?
You cycle to establish bacteria in your sandbed and liverock that will help to control nitrates, blow your rockwork out leave your sandbed alone. If you're stirring the sand because of cyno or diatoms why not fix the cause so it goes away?

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 12, 2017

Th

sullyman said:
Don't mess with your sand. What are you using to filter the tank, why do you need to cycle a tank before you can start adding life?
You cycle to establish bacteria in your sandbed and liverock that will help to control nitrates, blow your rockwork out leave your sandbed alone. If you're stirring the sand because of cyno or diatoms why not fix the cause so it goes away?

The bacteria will remain if the rotten food and fish poop is gone.

Flameback Pair · Jul 18, 2017

BRS has a video about micro-fauna in the sand bed. That's what the gobies eat and that's what is sooo efficient at eating detritus. I definitely wouldn't vacuum the sand, this sucks up the micro-fauna out of the tank. Just stir the sand to release gases and don't put in too much sand-sifters.