Water change/sand sifting question

Brandon0034 · 04/26/2016, 06:12 PM

Background: I cycled my rock separate from the tank for 8 weeks, then put it in the display with a 100% water change running it for another 2 weeks before adding a fish. I have had a fish in for two weeks now and did my first water change today(about 30%).

Question: How often do you siphon the sand bed to pull out detritus and other compounds? I siphoned the sand bed today and I was amazed with how milky the bed was within only 2 weeks of having a single fish. I also scrubbed off the hairline algae from the rock left over from my first bloom(yes I use ro/di). My entire tank turned cloudy and now I'm waiting for it to settle.

I'm thinking bi-weekly water changes of 15-20% and a monthly sand siphon. Is this too frequent on the sand? I have an issue with not doing anything to my tank. I'm fine leaving everything in place/not moving anything, but I'm OCD about every component being spotless.

username in use · 04/26/2016, 06:14 PM

I vacuum my sand every few water changes.

Brandon0034 · 04/26/2016, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username in use

I vacuum my sand every few water changes.

Is it milky in the siphon tube and does it cause your tank to cloud? I just want to make sure I'm doing this right and not inducing stress on the tank.

mystikal · 04/26/2016, 06:33 PM

i think the milky substance is just the sand being sand. Whenever I siphon the sand, I try to get a little sand each time and get the same cloudy/milky look your probably referring to.

I think your doing it fine, just probably do it once a month. The corals will usually be fine the next day, once the sand settles.

04/26/2016, 06:12 PM	#1
Brandon0034 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 107	Water change/sand sifting question Background: I cycled my rock separate from the tank for 8 weeks, then put it in the display with a 100% water change running it for another 2 weeks before adding a fish. I have had a fish in for two weeks now and did my first water change today(about 30%). Question: How often do you siphon the sand bed to pull out detritus and other compounds? I siphoned the sand bed today and I was amazed with how milky the bed was within only 2 weeks of having a single fish. I also scrubbed off the hairline algae from the rock left over from my first bloom(yes I use ro/di). My entire tank turned cloudy and now I'm waiting for it to settle. I'm thinking bi-weekly water changes of 15-20% and a monthly sand siphon. Is this too frequent on the sand? I have an issue with not doing anything to my tank. I'm fine leaving everything in place/not moving anything, but I'm OCD about every component being spotless.

04/26/2016, 06:14 PM	#2
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	I vacuum my sand every few water changes. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

04/26/2016, 06:33 PM	#4
mystikal Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Apopka-Orlando, Florida Posts: 611	i think the milky substance is just the sand being sand. Whenever I siphon the sand, I try to get a little sand each time and get the same cloudy/milky look your probably referring to. I think your doing it fine, just probably do it once a month. The corals will usually be fine the next day, once the sand settles.