What do you guys do to clean your sand? - Page 2

billdogg · 01/08/2016, 06:41 AM

Python Siphon for me. I recently had to replace the big tube. It was almost 30 years old, so I think I got my $$$ worth! I can't imagine doing a water change without it.

I also have an assortment of snails for the daily chores. I had a diamond goby (actually several) but got tired of finding them on the carpet, and I have well fitting screen tops - they still find a way out.

Please avoid sand sifting stars. Unless the tank is very large and well established, there is just not enough to keep them alive long term. And, at least IMO, "long term" doesn't mean 9 months or even a year - it means years and years.

DJasak · 01/08/2016, 05:33 PM

Love all the responses I'm getting! I've had a ton of people say black cucumbers. I thought I read somewhere that you have to be careful with them because if they die they can poison your whole tank and cause mass die off. Is this true? How hard are they to care for? Can you tell when one is starting to die so you can hey it out in time?

johnike · 01/08/2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJasak

Love all the responses I'm getting! I've had a ton of people say black cucumbers. I thought I read somewhere that you have to be careful with them because if they die they can poison your whole tank and cause mass die off. Is this true? How hard are they to care for? Can you tell when one is starting to die so you can hey it out in time?

They can, but very seldom. They're very cool to watch as they feed themselves the sand and poop it out in clean pellets. I've never had one die in a tank except for getting into a closed loop drain once.

That can get icky.

DJasak · 01/08/2016, 06:04 PM

Would my 45 gallon be too small for a black cucumber?

johnike · 01/08/2016, 06:56 PM

I'd say no worries, you can find smaller specimens as well.

DJasak · 01/09/2016, 02:11 PM

Thank you! I'll have to do some looking around to find one that I like. Any suggestions?

bmrigs · 01/09/2016, 02:21 PM

I just cleaned out mine completely today by taking it down, removing the sand, installing starboard and putting it back up.

DJasak · 01/09/2016, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmrigs

I just cleaned out mine completely today by taking it down, removing the sand, installing starboard and putting it back up.

What is starboard?

CStrickland · 01/09/2016, 08:32 PM

It's a kind of plastic they make boat stuff and cutting boards from. People put it in barebottom tanks, or under their rocks like a pedestal.

01/08/2016, 06:41 AM	#26
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Python Siphon for me. I recently had to replace the big tube. It was almost 30 years old, so I think I got my $$$ worth! I can't imagine doing a water change without it. I also have an assortment of snails for the daily chores. I had a diamond goby (actually several) but got tired of finding them on the carpet, and I have well fitting screen tops - they still find a way out. Please avoid sand sifting stars. Unless the tank is very large and well established, there is just not enough to keep them alive long term. And, at least IMO, "long term" doesn't mean 9 months or even a year - it means years and years. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/09/2016, 08:32 PM	#34
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	It's a kind of plastic they make boat stuff and cutting boards from. People put it in barebottom tanks, or under their rocks like a pedestal. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

01/08/2016, 05:33 PM	#27
DJasak Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 197	Love all the responses I'm getting! I've had a ton of people say black cucumbers. I thought I read somewhere that you have to be careful with them because if they die they can poison your whole tank and cause mass die off. Is this true? How hard are they to care for? Can you tell when one is starting to die so you can hey it out in time?

01/08/2016, 06:04 PM	#29
DJasak Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 197	Would my 45 gallon be too small for a black cucumber?

01/08/2016, 06:56 PM	#30
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	I'd say no worries, you can find smaller specimens as well.

01/09/2016, 02:11 PM	#31
DJasak Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 197	Thank you! I'll have to do some looking around to find one that I like. Any suggestions?

01/09/2016, 02:21 PM	#32
bmrigs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 198	I just cleaned out mine completely today by taking it down, removing the sand, installing starboard and putting it back up.