Newby

[rstansfield]

Hey everybody, I have just got involved and purchased a Red Sea max 130d. Its a 34 gal set up and it was a set up that came with live rock and black sand. I am not sure how much i like the black sand and am considering mixing in white with it or going completly white. Also, it seems real dirty....what can i do to do a cleaning on it?

 

[DevinWolfe]

Just plain old vinegar-soaked rags works well for cleaning the tank. I assume you are referring to a film or algae on the inside of the glass since the tank was used.

As for the sand, it's all personal preference really, but I like the look of dark substrates in planted (FW) tanks and light substrates for salwater.



P.S. Welcome to the forum/club/addiction/hobby

 

[TriMax]

Is the whole set new?

Is the sand "live" sand and new in the bag?

The color is "what you like". Look at some tanks that have black sand. planejane and omreardon have black sand and digidana will soon. It is not something that you cannot change, but you will not want to unload the whole tank to change sand color, imo.

Used sand from someone's tank can be full of toxins. I personally do not think it is a good idea to move sand. I am sure it has worked, but..... it is not for me.

Vinager and a rag (make sure a rag as free of soap as is possible is used. Rinse and clean with bleach - diluted. Rinse and use a little bit of vinager again. rinse several times. thinging again, I have never used bleach on by acrylic tanks. So, that may not be a good idea.:spin1:

Welcome to the hobby. If you are willing, you can learn something about it almost continually.:dance:

 

[Steve W]

You can also clean the black sand of calcium deposits by covering with water to which a cup or 2 of vinagar has been added and soaking overnight. Don't soak the live rock, of course.

Welcome. The local club meets on the 3rd Saturday, you should come. They have been a huge help to me getting started and are a great bunch of people. We're all a little crazy but that is not a liability in this hobby. I still consider myself a newby. I've been operating a reef tank for 8 months now.

Steve W

24 gallon Nano with 150 watt MH and 28w of T5 actinics