Rusty brown sand bed

Lightsluvr · 09/11/2007, 07:38 PM

I have a Mixi-Jet 1200 at the LF, RF, LR and rear-center of my Oceanic Wave tank. I have a Koralia 4 at the RR. The pumps are directed at the opposing corner of the tank.

I turned off the Koralia 4 pump because it was creating a sandstorm on my sand bed. Every day or so, I would have to get in there and "bulldoze" the sand back to cover the bottom glass uncovered by the Koralia. I think this was caused by the curve affect on the right front of the tank.

Unfortunately, the decreased circulation has allowed a rusty brown covering to settle at the left and right sides of the sand bed. I am not sure if this is an algae or just debris blown onto the sand from behind the LR. My Nassarius snails and sand sifting star aren't having any visible impact on this stuff. Any suggestions? Can you siphon "vacuum" sand while doing water changes (without sucking all of your live sand into a bucket)? Can I change the orientation of the powerheads? I am trying to juggle good circulation, sand bed and avoid "blasting" my new coral.

Very frustrating.

chrisjet · 09/11/2007, 07:52 PM

yes you can siphon the diatoms off the sand. It always happens about a week or 2 after setting up a tank. Also go buy a diamond goby he will keep your sand clean. good luck

chrisjet · 09/11/2007, 07:52 PM

also you can put a ball valve in your siphon line to slow down the sucking!

Lightsluvr · 09/12/2007, 10:37 AM

Good advice all.

LL

Tswifty · 09/12/2007, 02:18 PM

I take a turkey baster once a day and blow it into the sand. My observation was that this would get all the excess food or other partices that had settled on the sand "airborne/waterbourne?" into the water where it could be sucked up by my filters.

I was having some problem with some build up on my sand bed, and simply syphoning the sand wasn't getting me any results. Using the turkey baster on the sand made the aquarium water foggy for about 20 minutes, but now I have sparkling white sand again!

SaltyBoG Water · 09/12/2007, 02:57 PM

nice.good advice

SaltyBoG Water · 09/12/2007, 02:58 PM

My tank is about 6 months old and i am also having the same problem

09/11/2007, 07:38 PM	#1
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Rusty brown sand bed I have a Mixi-Jet 1200 at the LF, RF, LR and rear-center of my Oceanic Wave tank. I have a Koralia 4 at the RR. The pumps are directed at the opposing corner of the tank. I turned off the Koralia 4 pump because it was creating a sandstorm on my sand bed. Every day or so, I would have to get in there and "bulldoze" the sand back to cover the bottom glass uncovered by the Koralia. I think this was caused by the curve affect on the right front of the tank. Unfortunately, the decreased circulation has allowed a rusty brown covering to settle at the left and right sides of the sand bed. I am not sure if this is an algae or just debris blown onto the sand from behind the LR. My Nassarius snails and sand sifting star aren't having any visible impact on this stuff. Any suggestions? Can you siphon "vacuum" sand while doing water changes (without sucking all of your live sand into a bucket)? Can I change the orientation of the powerheads? I am trying to juggle good circulation, sand bed and avoid "blasting" my new coral. Very frustrating.

09/12/2007, 10:37 AM	#4
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Thanks! Good advice all. LL

09/12/2007, 02:18 PM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I take a turkey baster once a day and blow it into the sand. My observation was that this would get all the excess food or other partices that had settled on the sand "airborne/waterbourne?" into the water where it could be sucked up by my filters. I was having some problem with some build up on my sand bed, and simply syphoning the sand wasn't getting me any results. Using the turkey baster on the sand made the aquarium water foggy for about 20 minutes, but now I have sparkling white sand again! __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

09/12/2007, 02:57 PM	#6
SaltyBoG Water Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 190	nice.good advice __________________ If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing. - African Proverb. Current Tank Info: 29 bio cube 25 lbs LR 40 lbs LS

09/12/2007, 02:58 PM	#7
SaltyBoG Water Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 190	My tank is about 6 months old and i am also having the same problem __________________ If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing. - African Proverb. Current Tank Info: 29 bio cube 25 lbs LR 40 lbs LS

09/11/2007, 07:52 PM	#2
chrisjet Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: marietta ga Posts: 222	yes you can siphon the diatoms off the sand. It always happens about a week or 2 after setting up a tank. Also go buy a diamond goby he will keep your sand clean. good luck