Sand Cleaning how to....

Discussion in 'Sand' started by bpitts4, Jun 20, 2011.

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  1. bpitts4

    bpitts4 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2011
    Messages:
    46
    I am trying to clean the sand and I seem to be having trouble. Everytime I syphon the sand, algae and particles remain in the bottom and quicly dirties the tank again. Is there a better way to clean the sand bottom?
     
    bpitts4, Jun 20, 2011
    bpitts4, Jun 20, 2011
    #1

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  2. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,462
    Location:
    San Antonio
    i don't clean the sand but thought i would make the comment as a bump.
     
    SAY, Jun 20, 2011
    SAY, Jun 20, 2011
    #2
  3. ReefBruh

    ReefBruh Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    4,813
    Location:
    Clearwater, FL
    There is a vacuum that attaches to a hose if you place at an angle will suck most lose particles and tumble the sand back down. If it gets half way up the vacuum just lift it and the sand will fall but debris will rise unless its heavier than the vacuum. That has worked for me.

    I'm strong to the finish cause I eats me spinach. I'm ReefBruh the reefing man. Toot Toot.
     
    ReefBruh, Jun 20, 2011
    ReefBruh, Jun 20, 2011
    #3
  4. Caspian

    Caspian Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2011
    Messages:
    399
    Location:
    Woodland, CA
    Sand

    I've read several places of causing a "Snowstorm" effect by taking a turkey baster and blowing on the sand (naturally turning off any impeller devises you don't want clogged or broken) wait for the sand to settle then turn on your filter the floating detritus will be partly whisked in to the filter for collection the rest will settle everywhere else.

    The problems with this is obviously if you leave your pumps on they COULD get sand in them and break, the sand and other matter will deposit all over your LR and corals, And it will leave your tank cloudy for an hr or more depending on how much suspended matter is floating around. I've used this method and after the sand settled I did a water change to collect what I could so the filter wasn't taking the full load. I've heard corals enjoy the snowstorm as it brings extra nomnoms to them but I don't have any so I wouldn't know.

    I've heard of others doing the Tilt method for siphoning sand and it sounds well sound. If your feeling squeamish about the idea of getting sand in your bucket clench the hose in your hand to restrict the water flow and if you see sand going up the vacuum you squeeze closing off the water flow so the sand will fall safely back to where it belongs.

    Lastly I've also known people to have the idea of I don't need to clean the sand it's natural and I've got enough things living in/on the sand it will be fine. To this date I have no idea what the outcome of that is.
     
    Caspian, Jul 9, 2011
    Caspian, Jul 9, 2011
    #4
  5. Reefing Madness

    Reefing Madness Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2011
    Messages:
    267
    :thumb_up:
     
    Reefing Madness, Jul 9, 2011
    Reefing Madness, Jul 9, 2011
    #5