Cleaning Deep Sand bed

[Capsle]

Hey Reefers,

So I have a deep sand bed between 5"-6" depending on the area.

Should I be cleaning the top of it / vacuuming the surface of it when I'm doing water changes?

My thought is no. I haven't yet in over a month.


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[MrsReefK]

Get a sand sifting goby, he'll keep it stirred up nicely and clean. I have one in our 300g and it's amazing the difference since putting him in.

In regards to manually cleaning, I wouldn't, but others may have more to add to that.


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[gunther13mt]

I bought a sand shifting sea star and 3 nassurais snails they keep my DSB pretty clean

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[billdogg]

I would suggest keeping the cleaning to a minimum, and something like a sand sifting star just defeats the purpose (and benefit) of having the DSB to begin with because the star will destroy and the microfauna that inhabit said DSB.

What I did with mine was clean a small portion on water change day - maybe 1/4 total area or less using a python siphon to get down deep. All that did was remove the nasty gunk, leaving all the micro brittle stars/etc behind to do their jobs.

 

[Bent]

Agree with Bill. The sand sifters won't help.

I would suggest just vacuuming the crud off the top without disturbing the sand bed itself.

I'll gently blow mine with a turkey baster in spots when I'm blowing my rocks off.

The lounge will have a field day with that one.

 

[Capsle]

I would suggest keeping the cleaning to a minimum, and something like a sand sifting star just defeats the purpose (and benefit) of having the DSB to begin with because the star will destroy and the microfauna that inhabit said DSB.

What I did with mine was clean a small portion on water change day - maybe 1/4 total area or less using a python siphon to get down deep. All that did was remove the nasty gunk, leaving all the micro brittle stars/etc behind to do their jobs.

Thank for the info Bill. I will most probably just let it be. I do have 2 nassarius snails in my tank, they come out during feeding. Will the defeat the DSB purpose or are they okay to leave in?

Would a sand sifting goby be okay to add as well? It was on my to add list.

 

[billdogg]

The nassarius snails are a perfect addition for a DSB. The sand sifting goby will be fine as well, although they can make the rest of the tank a bit messy with all the sand they move around. (I like them btw). You will need a good fitting screen top on the tank with the goby however - I finally gave up on them because the DSB I had for my 150 it was impossible to keep them in even with screen tops. They found the tiny openings for plumbing and out they'd go.

 

[Capsle]

The nassarius snails are a perfect addition for a DSB. The sand sifting goby will be fine as well, although they can make the rest of the tank a bit messy with all the sand they move around. (I like them btw). You will need a good fitting screen top on the tank with the goby however - I finally gave up on them because the DSB I had for my 150 it was impossible to keep them in even with screen tops. They found the tiny openings for plumbing and out they'd go.

Awesome, once again thanks for the info.

I will definitely look into some kind of top as I had purchased a jaw fish 2 weeks ago, he was doing great. I went on vacation for 3 days and came back to find him dried out on the floor. [emoji37][emoji22][emoji24]

That's 65$ that jumped out of the tank.

Felt really bad for the fish.


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[Ron Reefman]

Sorry for your loss. But I never find fish that jump out of my tank...



the cat does. :eek2:

 

[billdogg]

The DIY screen tops made from BRS 1/4" netting and window screen frame parts from HD/Lowes are the best I have ever used. I cannot imagine a tank without.

 

[Capsle]

The DIY screen tops made from BRS 1/4" netting and window screen frame parts from HD/Lowes are the best I have ever used. I cannot imagine a tank without.

I'll have to check it out.

Thanks again


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[lacybiker2000]

Well a screen top is one more thing to add to the list for the new tank. I never bothered with it on my 5 or 30 gal as I had all the same fish for a long time and no cat. lol.