Vacuum new sand?

[ReefsandGeeks]

I'm not new to the hobby, but it's been a while since I've started a new tank. About a week ago I started up a 150 gallon and the tank, even with a decent bit of live rock, is going through "the uglies" and has a good dusting of brown algae over the sand and rocks. Should I just leave it be and let it run it's course, or gently vacuum out what I can to remove it from the tank?

 

[mcgyvr]

There is
1-vacuuming to remove whats on the sand (and not disturbing the sand much if any)
2-vacuuming into the sand.. (disturbing the sand significantly)
All do or would do #1 if needed
There are those that do #2 and those that do not like to disturb their sand..
I don't disturb my sand..

But #1 is totally fine if you want..

 

[NikonN8]

I used to do #1, pour off the vacuum water, Clorox the sand clean, rinse, dry, add back to tank.

It made the tank pretty in the short term but a day or two later it was crapped up again. I started just waiting it out and after a bit it was fine. Maybe increase your flow if you can, that always helps.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

Alright, that makes sense. I think I'll gently vacuum the top once in a while if it's getting bad, but will otherwise leave it alone.

 

[Uncle99]

There should come a point in a mature tank where there is no need to vacuum the sand.
At this point, your biological filter, flow and water chemistry and import/ export ratio are in balance.
Mine reached this point at 14-16 months, sand stays white all the time.
I do vacuum the sand anyways (for 25 years) on the weekly water changes, but just very lightly.
The goal is not to remove to much micros in the sand.

 

[Shelbytwp123]

i say just let it be... i know its not what we want to look at but few CUC and time to pass thru that stage and before you know it you'll be out in the clear

 

[Fourstars]

If it’s live sand with small granules I would not touch it. Let it run it’s course.