Please help me with my sandbed

[alaska clowns]

When I set up my tank in February I had no idea that the inches of sand for the substrate was important, so I just dumped in a couple bags of fine, dry, white sand from Petco. I don't know- that might have given me 3 or 4 inches of sand. Since that time I have vacuumed out some sand in a desperate attempt to clean out some of the cyanobacteria (which was mostly successful). Now my sandbed is very uneven- ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches all over the aquarium. SO is this a DSB or a SSB? My main concern is that at some point a disturbance to the deep part would release something toxic. I have two nassarius snails. Thank you for any input you give!

 

[spamreefnew]

people use anywhere from 0--12" sandbeds,and everything in between, as long as you get to know your system you will be fine with ANY depth. ps. it takes a REAL long time for sulfer to build up to levels that will hurt anything,and it is ez to prevent by a quick stirr or sandsifters

 

[CBMullen]

You definetly do not have a DSB. Those are usually considered 6-8+" and as far getting your sand back to an even amount- I would either try and get some Live Sand from a local reefers tank or perhaps your LFS can provide some. This will also help seed the sandbed with the beneficial bacteria you may have removed during siphoning.

 

[Toddrtrex]

How or why does the depth change so much?

In my 75, my depth varies that much too, because of my darn clowns digging all the time. But, I have always vacuumed the sand bed with each weekly water change, so I am not concerned about anything building up in the deeper sections. Once or twice during the week I will level the bed out, but they dig right after wards.

 

[alaska clowns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15354001#post15354001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
How or why does the depth change so much?

In my 75, my depth varies that much too, because of my darn clowns digging all the time. But, I have always vacuumed the sand bed with each weekly water change, so I am not concerned about anything building up in the deeper sections. Once or twice during the week I will level the bed out, but they dig right after wards.

The depth is so varied because of rigorous vacuuming of the cyano that was covering the sand, and I ended up taking a lot of sand up the hydrovac (I have extremely fine sand). Also, my clown digs holes too (it kind of looks like she is trying to dig up something to eat...)

When you vacuum, do you vacuum up sand, too?

Thank you!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Yes and no.

I vacuum the sand, but it only goes in the large diameter tube, I stop up the other end of the hose with my finger when too much sand gets in. I would I lose an ounce or two of sand with each water change.

This is what I use, and you can sort of get an idea of what I am taking about.

 

[alaska clowns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15355161#post15355161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
Yes and no.

I vacuum the sand, but it only goes in the large diameter tube, I stop up the other end of the hose with my finger when too much sand gets in. I would I lose an ounce or two of sand with each water change.

This is what I use, and you can sort of get an idea of what I am taking about.

Thank you! I'll stick my large diameter tube on next time I vacuum- I had taken it off and was just using the siphon hose because it seemed more effective that way. Well, it was too effective- but I did uncover some white sand Wow do I have a lot to learn.

Thanks for taking time to reply- I guess I really don't have much to worry about with the sand bed except keeping the sand there.

 

[jhoff]

I just added a 20lb bag of this to my tank on sunday http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=C-ARAG-L-RS&Category_Code=Substrates great size and price and no sand storm tank was clear in an hour or less.Also picked this up for cleaning the bed http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754084&lmdn=Fish works great sand stays in the tank not your bucket.

Jim

 

[alaska clowns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15355876#post15355876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jhoff
I just added a 20lb bag of this to my tank on sunday http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=C-ARAG-L-RS&Category_Code=Substrates great size and price and no sand storm tank was clear in an hour or less.Also picked this up for cleaning the bed http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754084&lmdn=Fish works great sand stays in the tank not your bucket.

Jim

Thank you! does adding this kind of sand to a small tank like mine cause any kind of a cycle that would harm my tank?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I recently added more sand to my 75 (( the same sand in question )), guessing I would say I added about 20 lbs to it. I just rinsed the sand, put it is a big ziplock bag, sunk it to the bottom of the tank and released it. The tank did get a bit cloudy but that went away in a couple of hours, everything was fine.

 

[alaska clowns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15356910#post15356910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
I recently added more sand to my 75 (( the same sand in question )), guessing I would say I added about 20 lbs to it. I just rinsed the sand, put it is a big ziplock bag, sunk it to the bottom of the tank and released it. The tank did get a bit cloudy but that went away in a couple of hours, everything was fine.

I think I'll try it- I've seen a similar sand at Petco (don't know if it's the same brand). Is rinsing a must? Thanks!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Its not a must, but sure helps cutting down on the sand storm that will happen.

This is what the water looked like after 2 rinses of that sand. There was only about 2-3 inches of sand in the bucket.

 

[jhoff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15356897#post15356897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alaska clowns
Thank you! does adding this kind of sand to a small tank like mine cause any kind of a cycle that would harm my tank?

No it will not cause a cycle my tank has been established for over three years now.And you don't have to rince the sand the sand is live came with a packet that clears the water but i didn't use it like i said the water was a little cloudy for about a half hour no sand stoum because the sand is heavy sinks right to the bottom.It's been three days now and the tank looks great with no problems.

 

[alaska clowns]

Thank you all for taking the time to help me! Thanks for the showing the pics! I'm going to try getting that sand today.

 

[rodcpierce]

why are you guys rinsing the sand? Im just curious, as I thought rinsing it completelly defeated the purpose of "live sand"

 

[Toddrtrex]

I don't use "live sand" and IMO, it isn't worth the extra money.