vacuming sandbed

[fload]

Should this be done? I noticed when I stirred up a small section of sand it emitted a lot of dirty brown water its about 3" deep water tests normal but I still don't think the sand should be this nasty took my tank about an hour to clear up (90 gallon with 600gph overflow to 55gal sump and nautilus ex 24 protien skimmer) I have one sand sifting starfish and a tiger cucumber lots of tiny hermits.... should I vacum some sand on water changes? Get more sand sifters and cucumbers? Or not worry about it?

 

[papagimp]

I've spot cleaned areas w/ heavy detrius buildup but I don't "vacuum" the sandbed. May do more harm than good, Let's see what everyone else says...

 

[AquaReeferMan]

I wouldnt vacuum it either. IF you stir your sand bed up enough your good bacteria might get covered and die off. I sometimes will siphon up some areas but never vacuum it completely,

 

[AZDesertRat]

What is your pod and worm population like? I am guessing with the sand sifting star they are either nonexistent or very low as they are voracious eaters. A good clean up crew and pod population should keep the sand in tip top shape.

 

[fload]

Pods and warms are rarely seen in display I do have a refuguim in the sump with pods and a purple reef lobster (in jail for murder of two neon gobys) should I get rid of the star?

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8225262#post8225262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fload
Pods and warms are rarely seen in display I do have a refuguim in the sump with pods and a purple reef lobster (in jail for murder of two neon gobys) should I get rid of the star?

May be a good idea. It may seem like it is doing well at first, but it is doing more harm than good and may eventually starve itself out.