Cleaning Sand?

Discussion in 'Sand' started by Travis45, Jan 25, 2010.

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  1. Travis45

    Travis45 Scooter Blennie

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    I was wondering about cleaning my sand? Its live sand and usually when I do water changes I tend to stir it up a bit. Now I was wondering if rinsing is necessary? I have had the sand in this tank for over 2 years and I added a new bag of sand about 4 months ago. The sand is LIVE sand, so I do not want to venture into any rinsing of it until I get some great 3reef info on this topic.

    Travis
     
    Travis45, Jan 25, 2010
    Travis45, Jan 25, 2010
    #1

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  2. divott

    divott Giant Squid

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    not sure what your meaning by rinsing it. taking some out , rinsing it and putting it back in? no need to do that . you can vaccuum the sand to takwe some nasties out if you wish , but thats also getting rid of helpful bacterias and such. and sorry if ive misunderstood anything. wouldnt be the 1st time. :)
     
    divott, Jan 25, 2010
    divott, Jan 25, 2010
    #2
  3. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Most people on here don't clean their sand at all. Instead they get little critters to do the work. But if it's really bothering you, you could siphon a little bit of the very top layer, but you really don't want to be stirring up the sand.
     
    kcbrad, Jan 25, 2010
    kcbrad, Jan 25, 2010
    #3
  4. billyboy2

    billyboy2 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    i agree...cleaning sand is a freswater deal...getting a proficient clean up crew is the best way to go.. rinsing sand would be very difficult and would wash away some of the benifits of a maturing tank right down drain.
     
    billyboy2, Jan 26, 2010
    billyboy2, Jan 26, 2010
    #4
  5. Crimson Ghost

    Crimson Ghost Blue Ringed Angel

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    Try not to stir your sand to the point where you cloud your water. You can vacuum as mentioned and this can be a good way of getting excess waste out that your clean up crew does not keep up with. Increasing and/or expanding on your clean up crew is probably the best way to go.
     
    Crimson Ghost, Jan 26, 2010
    Crimson Ghost, Jan 26, 2010
    #5
  6. Travis45

    Travis45 Scooter Blennie

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    Well thanks for the info, I will not be cleaning my sand. Will have to extend the power of my clean up crew then.

    Travis
     
    Travis45, Jan 26, 2010
    Travis45, Jan 26, 2010
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  7. divott

    divott Giant Squid

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    what tank size and what do you have as a CUC travis?
     
    divott, Jan 26, 2010
    divott, Jan 26, 2010
    #7
  8. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Definitely a good CUC. Also, when your tank matures you won't have to worry about cleaning the sand anymore. Maturing is going to vary. Took over a year to get my last tank dialed.
     
    missionsix, Jan 26, 2010
    missionsix, Jan 26, 2010
    #8
  9. Travis45

    Travis45 Scooter Blennie

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    I have an 80 gallon reef tank. As of right now I have around 15 to 20 hermits. I have 7 or 8 Nassarius Snails with 8 Cerith Snails. I also have about 10 astrea snails. Two fighting Conch and 2 emerald crabs.

    Travis
     
    Travis45, Jan 26, 2010
    Travis45, Jan 26, 2010
    #9
  10. clarky2120

    clarky2120 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    as always I have to state that i am very new to the hobby, but i have read that you are supposed to stir the sand every 4 months or so to release trapped gasses? is this not correct?
     
    clarky2120, Mar 15, 2010
    clarky2120, Mar 15, 2010
    #10
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