Well blow me down

[robertifly]

Okay, I'm down with the concept and agree that the rocks in a reef tank or any tank should be cleaned or blown clean. But I don't see where people go into detail of how to do it I mean "just take a power head and blow off the rocks" doesn't say much, I mean I try "NOT" to put my hands into the tank the best I can so a few pointers would be appreciated.
Like which power heads are good to use for this?
Does everyone just hold the ph in hand and stick arm into the tank?
Seems to me there is an opportunity here for someone to design and market a "power head on a stick" just for this purpose. How do you guys "blow off your rocks"? Reef rocks that is.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I use a turkey baster. You can find longer ones if you look around. I use a standard one I got at Target.


Edit, you can also suction cup a powerhead like an mj1200 to the glass and with some 1/2 inch hose blow the rocks off with mostly dry hands.

This hobby makes you be a bit creative [emoji6]


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[Rafty]

This is the first I have heard about doing this. Could some elaborate on why we should do this? Doesn't make sense to me why you would want to clean the rocks especially if they are no issues with nitrates, phosphate etc


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[ryeguyy84]

This is the first I have heard about doing this. Could some elaborate on why we should do this? Doesn't make sense to me why you would want to clean the rocks especially if they are no issues with nitrates, phosphate etc


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Think about your house, the air looks clean but if you don't dust every now and then you end up with a thick layer of dust sitting on your table. Kinda the same in a reef, detritus settles and fills in the holes of the rock. Blow off your rocks and you'll see clouds of stuff come out of everywhere.

I blow them off then do a water change to get out what I can.

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[Rafty]

Yes I get that but what is the research / evidence that suggests this is a good thing to do apart from satisfying our OCD nature? Cleanup crew need something to do don't they?


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[heritage]

Mj1200 and a hose attached to the output. I do it once a week with water change.

 

[Timfish]

On reefs there are herbivores that scrub the rock clean. The best example is the decline of Caribbean reefs is tied to the dieoff of diadem species urchins in 1983.

I've often used a small power head as mentioned above. I've also found using stainless steal straws while doing water changes helpful for not only removing detritus from rock but also unwanted and invasive animals.

https://youtu.be/QkABhAFhGKQ

 

[Oldreeferman]

Yes I get that but what is the research / evidence that suggests this is a good thing to do apart from satisfying our OCD nature? Cleanup crew need something to do don't they?


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Really has absolutely nada to do with being OCD, remember good live rock has a lot of holes in it for circulation & bacteria growth surface areas, they get plugged up over time & you end up with a more solid pc after time & that lowers the surface area effect for the bacteria & flora fauna also. Keeps nitrates in check too by removing gunk that may not be eaten by bacteria, pods, brittle stars, & so on.
I use a Turkey baster every time i do my water changes & it is amazing how filthy rocks get in just 1 week.

 

[robertifly]

Thanks that is just what I wanted to know, several good ways to help with tank maintenance.

 

[moondoggy4]

It is getting close to Thanksgiving it is time to buy better quality Turkey baster, I have not been able to find any good ones short of going on line which I have not done.

 

[Oldreeferman]

On line is a good source, tons of Chinese sourced ones cheap, otherwise specialty baking stores like bed & Bath or Target is where i found my long ones, got 1 for rocks & 1 for sucking out my skimmer cup ea. day. Of course Amazon ships so fast these days if you get it that rout you order today & its time warped to yesterday! LOL.