LS Substrate Issues in FOWLR

[greg938]

My aquarium was over-run with bristle worms and my LS has calcified or something. Someone said to stir up the 1 1/2" +/- sand base and vacuum. I think I have controlled my bristle worm infestation, however it is taking quite a bit of work to get my tank clear again. Can I remove the hardened sand base and replace with new LS without disrupting anything since it is a very thin base? I am running a 75gal FOWLR, 110 Aquaclear Filter, Prizm Pro Red Sea Skimmer and 1 Power head. Should I get a wavemaker and change out my 1 fluorescent bulb for lighting? Maybe add another Aquaclear 110? Please let me know. What I should get for sand sifters and obviously I need snails and cleaner shrimp?

Greg

 

[Piazzon12]

As far as the subsrate, I wouldnt even stir it... I'd remove it in large chunks if you could. There is no reason to stir up detrius. Just remove it and replace it with fresh sand.

I'm not sure what your other questions are about?? If it is about controlling bristle worm population... try getting some predators like wrasses

 

[greg938]

Sorry, I should have been more specific:

1. Can I remove the hard LS and replace with new LS?
2. Can I stir up my LS base to clean?
3. Is the Aquaclear 110 Filter System adequate for my setup?
4. Should I have better lighting?
5. Should I add a wavemaker?
6. Should I add Sandsifters or snails to my FOWLR which includes (2) Pink Bar Gobis and (2) Clowns?
Thank you!

 

[Piazzon12]

Generally speaking:
1. Can I remove the hard LS and replace with new LS? Yes and it doesnt need ot be live sand, just well-washed new sand,

2. Can I stir up my LS base to clean? Yes, but you want to be careful not so stir up too much at once as it might cause an Ammo/nitrate spike

3. Is the Aquaclear 110 Filter System adequate for my setup?
I think the skimmer and live rock is already taking care of your needs... the aquaclear (I believe) is just supplying mechanical filtration and carbon

4. Should I have better lighting?
Lighting on a FOWLR doesnt matter much unless you have corals, anemones or clams. Unless you have an algae problem the lighting only needs to be what you prefer for viewing

5. Should I add a wavemaker?
No real need that I see

6. Should I add Sandsifters or snails to my FOWLR which includes (2) Pink Bar Gobis and (2) Clowns?
Yes, you can, they surely cant hurt. Snails, stars, conchs, cucumbers etc. However I'm not sure a cleaner shrimp will do much in terms of sand sifting.
Not sure how much you current Gobies sift, but my diamond goby keeps my sand nice and white.

 

[greg938]

Thanks!

My Gobies prefer one spot and never move about the aquarium. I guess I was just checking to see if the Cleaner Shrimp would help clean the LR. Also, why does the LS get hard and the entire surface get rod-like sprouts? I believe my sand-sifting star died because of this coral-like hardness??? The sand issue is hard to explain...maybe later I can post a pic. Thanks again for the help!

Greg

 

[pimpinitup6969]

yeah i completely agree with piazzon! if u need any help just shoot me a pm im in elmira too and i could just swing over

 

[Piazzon12]

Calcium based sand will clump like that if left undisturbed for long periods of time. It happens in my tank to the sand underneath my rockwork. I think calcium builds up and fuses the sand together (or something along those lines).
The red rodlike sprouts are probably just spaghetti worms or some other harmless creature. I have lots in my tank, especially in indisturbed areas

 

[nwrogers]

Adam offered some really good advice Greg and welcome to STRS if I didn't already welcome you! The only things I would add are you mentioned you have a FOWLR so be careful when picking out your clean up crew. I don’t know what kind of fish you have but puffers, lionfish, and triggers can clean up your clean up crew in little time if you are careful what you choose. Also although flow is not required for a FOWLR tank having good flow will increase the efficiency of the mechanical filtration you have. The flow will make it so fish poop can’t as easily get trapped under rocks and in the sand and will make your sand last longer IMO. I will also second what Adam said about the sand, there is no need to buy live sand. It is a waste of money IMO and when you switch out the current sand bed be careful not to stir it up too much. There is lots of waste in there and you don’t want it to crash your system. Lastly if you buy good aragonite sand I wouldn’t even bother rinsing it, I never do.

Good luck!