Sand bed help......

[Alaska_Phil]

Here's a great article from Reefkeeping.com on sand beds, if you don't mind some scientific jargon.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/eb/index.php

Phil

 

[cashman95]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15402728#post15402728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Why would it being over a year old make it "not an option"?

The tank is full of encrusted acro's, monti's, zoa's...etc

 

[cashman95]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15404488#post15404488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alaska_Phil
Here's a great article from Reefkeeping.com on sand beds, if you don't mind some scientific jargon.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/eb/index.php

Phil

Thanks....Reading it now!!!

 

[jenglish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15398389#post15398389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryandlf
The debate on whether or not to use play sand has been going on forever. Silica is actually glass. There is silica in the walls of your tank. There is debate on whether or not it has been the cause of cancer, and so far has not been proven. Most people just hear the word cancer and have deemed it something that absolutely should not be near our aquariums.

I guess if it comes down to the choice between what comes from the ocean and what comes from walmart, I wouldn't blame you for choosing the ocean.

I went with play sand and have had it for over a year with no problems, I guess we'll see what happens.

Silica sand is present in the ocean as well. Areas that are largely fed by river systems are silicate sand. There are reefs there and critters living in the sand.

As for depth, going much over 4 inches can be problematic. What you want is a low oxygen zone, not a no oxygen zone. These no oxygen zones can produce hydrogen sulfate, or black spots and be bad mojo.

Calcium carbonate sand binds very well with PO4. Every sand bed and rock made of them has the potential (some argue it is inevitable) to load with phosphates and become a problem.

Some of what you are seeing can be bacterial clock, some of it can also be just fish poop that sand be critters were breaking down inot smaller parts. A good amount of flow to keep it suspended and skimmed out is the standard BB ideaology.

 

[cashman95]

I have over 4000 GPH of flow in an 45 ish gallon tank, and you still get a build up of "crap" on the bottom! I manually take one of the tunze and blow it around to try and get it stirred up and skimmed out, but even them I get a build up of "crap" in my sumps floor that has to be vaccumed out as well......I do not run filter socks all the time, but have seriously been thinking of doing so!

 

[SeanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15404308#post15404308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrimReefer82
He just doesn't want to cook the rock and kill off the good stuff.

Nothing good is lost.
Unless you consider phosphates and detritus good.

 

[SeanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405871#post15405871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cashman95
The tank is full of encrusted acro's, monti's, zoa's...etc

That makes sense.
You can consider "cooking" the base rock if any is not coral encrusted.
This would have two effects.
1. There would be less algae fuel.
2. The cleansed rock would be a much more efficient filter.