Vacuum new sand?

ReefsandGeeks · 10/31/2018, 01:26 PM

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 · 10/31/2018, 02:10 PM

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 · 10/31/2018, 02:27 PM

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 · 11/01/2018, 05:39 AM

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 · 11/05/2018, 06:04 PM

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 · 11/06/2018, 05:58 AM

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 · 11/06/2018, 08:12 AM

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

10/31/2018, 02:27 PM	#3
NikonN8 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 89	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. __________________ My name's Nate, not Nikon. In case it wasn't clear.

10/31/2018, 01:26 PM	#1
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	Vacuum new sand? 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?

10/31/2018, 02:10 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	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.. __________________ Who me?

11/01/2018, 05:39 AM	#4
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	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.

11/05/2018, 06:04 PM	#5
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	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.

11/06/2018, 05:58 AM	#6
Shelbytwp123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 45	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

11/06/2018, 08:12 AM	#7
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	If it’s live sand with small granules I would not touch it. Let it run it’s course.