I read in Steve Tyrees interesting book about spong/squirt-filtration that a sand bed can become autotrophic (I suppose depending on organic matter build up) and that this can be seen by algae population the sand grains. In my reef I have had no such problem in two years, but recently algae has developed on the sand. I suppose that the build up have reached the limit of heterotrophicity (is that a correct english word?) and the bed has started to leach nutritious compounds.
1. Do you agree with my conclution?
2. What do you recommend? Vacuuming? And if so ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ how? Removal/change of sandbed? Nothing?
I do not stir the bed very often and there are no large animals doing it either (only what I believe is ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œspagetti-wormsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ and ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œsmall white snails with long troutââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â). I have no measurable phosphate and about 3-5 mg/lit NO3. The system has a plenum sand bed in the sump (no light) and is well skimmed. The sand bed in question is in the main display and is 1-6 cm deep.
I hope you are the right person to answer this, or otherwise propose another author or place in the forum for this thread. Thanks!
1. Do you agree with my conclution?
2. What do you recommend? Vacuuming? And if so ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ how? Removal/change of sandbed? Nothing?
I do not stir the bed very often and there are no large animals doing it either (only what I believe is ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œspagetti-wormsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ and ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œsmall white snails with long troutââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â). I have no measurable phosphate and about 3-5 mg/lit NO3. The system has a plenum sand bed in the sump (no light) and is well skimmed. The sand bed in question is in the main display and is 1-6 cm deep.
I hope you are the right person to answer this, or otherwise propose another author or place in the forum for this thread. Thanks!
