What do you do with your sand?

boxfishpooalot · 09/09/2006, 11:28 PM

What is your maintenence on your sandbed?

Bebo77 · 09/09/2006, 11:34 PM

sand+acrylic do not go well together... bare bottom

boxfishpooalot · 09/10/2006, 12:03 AM

you mean it scrathces acrylic?

I have sand because I could not keep up with the bb nitrate machiene. Too many fish and feedings imo.lots of poop too.

Fwiw whats your nitrates and phosphates at with your current regimine?

Bebo77 · 09/10/2006, 12:08 AM

yeah i had a 60 gallon that was scratched to holly kingdom come.. i was not going to do that with my 300.

i have never had problems with any water parametes.. but then again i have a 300 gallon tank and 125 gallon sump. I run Zeovit.. that alone takes care of most problems....

i have lots of fish in my tank but with a Deltec Skimmer, fuge full of cheato, and 25 gallon weekly water changes, i dont have any problems...

nitrates and phosphates are 0

boxfishpooalot · 09/10/2006, 12:14 AM

How do you like zeovit? Apparently it a carbon source for bacteria to use up? Also containing zeolites to remove ammonia from water I hear?less ammonia less nitrates I suppose. Expensive stuff hey?

Fwiw, im trying sugar dosing to reduce nitrates driving bacterial growth.

Bebo77 · 09/10/2006, 12:23 AM

Zeo eliminates alot of problems.. i was battling algea for 6 months.. now 4 months into Zeo i wipe the acrylic of my tank once a month and there is little to no algea on the rocks... it really does wonders for fighting algea and improving the color in coral.

Zeo is expensive when you start it but you only dose drops so the product lasts a long time... so in the long run its not really that bad.

sugar/ vodka works but you dont get the "beneficial" bacteria that zeo gives you.

boxfishpooalot · 09/10/2006, 02:02 PM

bump for the day people.

55semireef · 09/10/2006, 02:05 PM

Well there could have been more choices to that poll. I don't bother my sandbed but I will occasionally use the turkey baster to mess around with it but I only do that to a SMALL area of the tank bc its a reef with Nems.

melev · 09/10/2006, 02:06 PM

I would have voted for #1 (Leave it alone) and #6 (let the flow move the surface somewhat) if that was an option.

And don't you dare call me a Day People again. We all know better.

danferd2002 · 09/10/2006, 03:18 PM

i agree with melev, i leave mine alone, except that it might get pushed around or messed up when im moving things around or ad ing something. I also belive in alot of snails, and i have a conch that stirs it up constantly.

boxfishpooalot · 09/10/2006, 04:19 PM

How deep is everyones sandbed? Mines only 2"-1" scattered around. I think I need more.

Was thinking of filling the sump up with sand.

a 10" deep sand!

Melev

day people haha.

Do you find you have any nitrate or phosphate problems pertaining to sand.

melev · 09/10/2006, 04:50 PM

A DSB will denitrify the system, which means 4 to 6" deep. I did have excessively high PO4 a year ago, and it took many months to get it back down to 0.

Some people incorporate a remote DSB, and I've read that it works. I've never tried it.

JPMagyar · 09/10/2006, 05:24 PM

Obvously given the number of successful tanks utilizing virtually every variation imaginable it would be horribly difficult to come to an ultimate conclusion of "the best" way, but having said that . . .

I was influenced by my meeting with Steve Weast from Oregon who convinced me that thin cosmetic sand beds that are siphoned regularly can lead to great results like this (his tank)

(and this ) my tank . . .

But that's what makes the world so great - there's something for everyone!!

Viszlat,

Joe

roons · 09/10/2006, 06:30 PM

what is cosmetic sand? i have a 4-5" dsb, however seeing the cyano problems created from leaching phosphates i wouldnt do it again , 1" next time......................and how do you siphon this cosmetic stuff without removing it ? anytime i touch my southdown with a siphon its history

JPMagyar · 09/10/2006, 06:41 PM

Hey roon,

I had the same problem. I started to get cyano on my sand when I had a 5 inch Southdown DSB. I started sihponing off the sand, taking 5 or so cups of sand out each time. I've been doing that now for about 2 years and I still have about 2 inches left in front. Once i get down to 1 inch or so I'll start replacing the bare spots with larger diameter sand.

Since I started siphoning I have had 0 outbreaks of cyano. I don't like the looks of bare bottom so I'll never go totally BB but no more Southdown/Oolitic sand for me.

Like I said though somethin' for everyone because I'm cetainly not knockin' the idea of a DSB; its just not for me . . .

Viszlat,

Joe

View Poll Results: what maintenence is done to your sandbed
leave it alone forever	16	30.19%
stirr the top layer of sand with my hand	14	26.42%
syphon it every time	5	9.43%
syphon one half at a time	3	5.66%
cover it with new sand	0	0%
let the powerheads move the sands surface	8	15.09%
I use carbon like, vodka, ethanol, or sugar.	1	1.89%
no sand at all bare bottom tank	6	11.32%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

09/09/2006, 11:34 PM	#2
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	sand+acrylic do not go well together... bare bottom __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

09/10/2006, 12:03 AM	#3
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	you mean it scrathces acrylic? I have sand because I could not keep up with the bb nitrate machiene. Too many fish and feedings imo.lots of poop too. Fwiw whats your nitrates and phosphates at with your current regimine? __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/10/2006, 12:08 AM	#4
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	yeah i had a 60 gallon that was scratched to holly kingdom come.. i was not going to do that with my 300. i have never had problems with any water parametes.. but then again i have a 300 gallon tank and 125 gallon sump. I run Zeovit.. that alone takes care of most problems.... i have lots of fish in my tank but with a Deltec Skimmer, fuge full of cheato, and 25 gallon weekly water changes, i dont have any problems... nitrates and phosphates are 0 __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

09/10/2006, 12:14 AM	#5
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	How do you like zeovit? Apparently it a carbon source for bacteria to use up? Also containing zeolites to remove ammonia from water I hear?less ammonia less nitrates I suppose. Expensive stuff hey? Fwiw, im trying sugar dosing to reduce nitrates driving bacterial growth. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/09/2006, 11:28 PM	#1
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	What do you do with your sand? What is your maintenence on your sandbed? __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/10/2006, 12:23 AM	#6
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	Zeo eliminates alot of problems.. i was battling algea for 6 months.. now 4 months into Zeo i wipe the acrylic of my tank once a month and there is little to no algea on the rocks... it really does wonders for fighting algea and improving the color in coral. Zeo is expensive when you start it but you only dose drops so the product lasts a long time... so in the long run its not really that bad. sugar/ vodka works but you dont get the "beneficial" bacteria that zeo gives you. __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

09/10/2006, 02:02 PM	#7
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	bump for the day people. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/10/2006, 02:05 PM	#8
55semireef Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 5,322	Well there could have been more choices to that poll. I don't bother my sandbed but I will occasionally use the turkey baster to mess around with it but I only do that to a SMALL area of the tank bc its a reef with Nems.

09/10/2006, 02:06 PM	#9
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I would have voted for #1 (Leave it alone) and #6 (let the flow move the surface somewhat) if that was an option. And don't you dare call me a Day People again. We all know better.

09/10/2006, 03:18 PM	#10
danferd2002 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 882	i agree with melev, i leave mine alone, except that it might get pushed around or messed up when im moving things around or ad ing something. I also belive in alot of snails, and i have a conch that stirs it up constantly.

09/10/2006, 04:19 PM	#11
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	How deep is everyones sandbed? Mines only 2"-1" scattered around. I think I need more. Was thinking of filling the sump up with sand. a 10" deep sand! Melev day people haha. Do you find you have any nitrate or phosphate problems pertaining to sand. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/10/2006, 04:50 PM	#12
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	A DSB will denitrify the system, which means 4 to 6" deep. I did have excessively high PO4 a year ago, and it took many months to get it back down to 0. Some people incorporate a remote DSB, and I've read that it works. I've never tried it.

09/10/2006, 05:24 PM	#13
JPMagyar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY,NY Posts: 2,072	Lot's of options. Obvously given the number of successful tanks utilizing virtually every variation imaginable it would be horribly difficult to come to an ultimate conclusion of "the best" way, but having said that . . . I was influenced by my meeting with Steve Weast from Oregon who convinced me that thin cosmetic sand beds that are siphoned regularly can lead to great results like this (his tank) (and this ) my tank . . . But that's what makes the world so great - there's something for everyone!! Viszlat, Joe __________________ Joe Peck TOTM Apr. 2013 Advanced Aquarist Featured Tank March 2011 Reef Hobbyist Magazine journalist, and all around SPS nut! Current Tank Info: 240 with 750 gal total system, ATI LED Powermodule, MTC-HSA 1000. MTC Pro-Cal..

09/10/2006, 06:30 PM	#14
roons Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: saugerties ,ny Posts: 1,240	what is cosmetic sand? i have a 4-5" dsb, however seeing the cyano problems created from leaching phosphates i wouldnt do it again , 1" next time......................and how do you siphon this cosmetic stuff without removing it ? anytime i touch my southdown with a siphon its history

09/10/2006, 06:41 PM	#15
JPMagyar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY,NY Posts: 2,072	Siphoning. Hey roon, I had the same problem. I started to get cyano on my sand when I had a 5 inch Southdown DSB. I started sihponing off the sand, taking 5 or so cups of sand out each time. I've been doing that now for about 2 years and I still have about 2 inches left in front. Once i get down to 1 inch or so I'll start replacing the bare spots with larger diameter sand. Since I started siphoning I have had 0 outbreaks of cyano. I don't like the looks of bare bottom so I'll never go totally BB but no more Southdown/Oolitic sand for me. Like I said though somethin' for everyone because I'm cetainly not knockin' the idea of a DSB; its just not for me . . . Viszlat, Joe __________________ Joe Peck TOTM Apr. 2013 Advanced Aquarist Featured Tank March 2011 Reef Hobbyist Magazine journalist, and all around SPS nut! Current Tank Info: 240 with 750 gal total system, ATI LED Powermodule, MTC-HSA 1000. MTC Pro-Cal..