Took out my sand today.

[rcmike]

Well guys, I finally got the courage to take out all my sand in my main tank. Stuff started dying off again and I didn't have much to loose so I took all the corals and rock out and scooped up the sand. There was actually more dark gray gunk than sand I think. It smelled like a septic tank or something. Some parts actually came out in chunks. I know it was kind of daring but with how my tank it doing right I decided I had to do something. I have set up the rock work to be a little more open and hopefully have better flow around it. I am trying to decide if I should put in a thin layer of sand or just leave it out. I really like the look of sand though. I may put some in and try keeping it vaccumed. What would you do?

 

[foggy54]

Mike how deep was your old sand bed?

 

[danieljames]

Sounds like a good call to me (taking it out) if it was gooey and clumped. If bb isn't your thing, i think about 1" to 1.5" of a coarse sand is good from everything i've been reading. You can keep it stirred easily.

 

[pitbullpooch]

ive always used 1"- 2" sandbeds and the sand always stayed clean that way and if it did get a little dirty looking i would stir it up and suck out the debri when i did a water change. i always thought it looked better that way to me anyways. i cant go bb either cause i love the look of the sand.

 

[rcmike]

It was only about 2 inches or so. I took out some of the rocks to get a little better flow and it looks a little bare right without some sort of sand so I think I am going to put some back in. I just need to take care of it a little better I guess.

 

[APFish]

BB is the best thing I have ever done. My tanks are easily kept up with snails for algae control and my parameters are easily monitored and controlled with small doses. I have picked up my flow and have started skimming wet. My corals have flourished and besides the toad fish all the critters seem to love the flow and are very active during the day. I slow the tanks at night to give everyone a chance to find a hiding spot for rest.

Rob

 

[rcmike]

I am considering that also, especially after seeing all the crap that came out of the rocks this morning. All of that would have been in the sand.

 

[rcmike]

I think I am going to leave it BB. I played with the flow a little and put two of the modded MaxiJet 1200s in the back corners pointing down and the detritus is really being swept around and carried out now.

 

[boofer]

You'll probably be suprised at how much your rocks shed, actually. If BB isnt your thing, at least wait till your rocks are done shedding...you wont regret it

 

[rcmike]

They aren't shedding as much as I thought they would. I have the flow where it is sweeping everything to the front where I can siphon it out. I actually don't hate the look nearly as much as I thought I would. The tank looks much brighter too.

 

[APFish]

you can really pick your flow up a lot more. I eased into and started with a 1200 return on a spray bar and then added seios, then a closed loop, ... It really is a lot simpler. Have you protected your bottom. Be careful of rock slides. I can't say enough good about the ease of the system once you break away from sand. I really like the look of no sand. My mother stated that my tank looked like a jewelry counter with all the different colors in the coral. I also, think that the water seems clearer. I don't know if it actually is or not. I think that the light reflects more.

Rob

 

[rcmike]

I just have bare glass. It is very thick though and most of the rocks are pretty light. At first I was planning on putting sand back in until I saw how much better it looked without it. I think the tank is much brighter too. I was worried about having to siphon out stuff all the time but I guess it would have just rotted in the sand instead. Kinda like what you don't see won't hurt you....until a few years down the road. Hopefully the corals that survived will bounce back soon. Last year my tank looked better than it ever had and then everything just went to crap. I had several nice acropora and montipora colonies that slowely died off and I couldn't figure out why.

 

[rcmike]

Just an update. The tank is looking much cleaner now. The water is clearer than I have ever seen it, even more than when I was running ozone I think. I am starting to see some polyp extension on a few acros again and on the gorgonians. I am wet skimming and got out about a half gallon since last night and it is still pretty nasty looking stuff. I think I am going to be happy with the BB tank. After a few days you don't even notice the sand is missing.

Oh, BTW, anyone want a sand sifting starfish? I don't have any use for him anymore. I know they aren't the best for sand life but I was getting desperate.

 

[Pickupman66]

RC, I might be interested in the starfish. PM me for price/trade...

 

[fishdoc11]

Glad to hear things are looking up IMO it's much easier to maintain a BB tank.
Chris