Refugium - DSB - detritus

[vanceny]

Does anyone clean out their refuigum. I've noticed a small layer of crud about 1/4" thick and wanted to know what others are doing. Its been running for about 3 years now and its full of life. I'm worried that if I siphon any of it, it will end up stirring to much of the DSB. I aslo don't want to replace all of the sand because I think I will lose most of my critters. I will be upgrading in a few months and expanding the refugium section, I plan on just pulling out the baffle and add in more sand. I could just try to siphon only the top layer. Is this the way to go?

 

[vanceny]

^ bump

 

[mikeatjac]

Sounds like you need to clean it out. Are you not having any luck with the life in your sand bed processing it?
Some people clean out their Refug with a pump connected to a hose and just pull out the top layer.

 

[vanceny]

thanks - i guess the life in the sand bed can't keep up. Should the critters be able to keep it eniterly clean? I've never bought a critter pack and mostly have worms and pods in there. Not that much diversity.