siphon or not to siphon

attilaa · 08/22/2007, 02:43 PM

I was just recently told not to siphon my substrate when I do water changes. I only have about 1.5 inch of sand in my tank. I was told that siphoning would be removing all the usefull bacteria from the sand. Is this correct?

barbra · 08/22/2007, 02:46 PM

Such a thin sandbed is pretty much just ornamental. I would slowly siphon it away and replace with fresh sand as needed. It will stay clean and pretty that way and the detritus will be removed effectively

attilaa · 08/22/2007, 02:58 PM

I have a couple of corals in the sand and it does get annoying having to move them around every time I change the water. I was hoping that you would tell me not to siphon!!! Oh well.......

08/22/2007, 02:43 PM	#1
attilaa Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 68	siphon or not to siphon I was just recently told not to siphon my substrate when I do water changes. I only have about 1.5 inch of sand in my tank. I was told that siphoning would be removing all the usefull bacteria from the sand. Is this correct?

08/22/2007, 02:58 PM	#3
attilaa Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 68	I have a couple of corals in the sand and it does get annoying having to move them around every time I change the water. I was hoping that you would tell me not to siphon!!! Oh well....... __________________ 54 Gallon Bowfront, 24 Aqualight Pro TM...250W(14k), 5 maxi jet power heads 600-1200 plugged into a wavemaker. TOM AQUATIC RAPIDS PRO SERIES WET/DRY FILTER with a top off tank.

08/22/2007, 02:46 PM	#2
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Such a thin sandbed is pretty much just ornamental. I would slowly siphon it away and replace with fresh sand as needed. It will stay clean and pretty that way and the detritus will be removed effectively