For people with mounted rocks.. How do you clean your sand bed under the rocks?

DOTZ · 02/14/2008, 08:02 PM

I see alot of pics of tanks were people mount there rocks and I was woundering how they clean under the rocks. I want to mount mine or just aquascape a way I like and not have to worrie about tearing it down and fixing it back again, but I know when I move them there is all kinds of detrias under them. So how can I mount my rocks in towers or whatever and still keep my tank clean?

Snowboarda42 · 02/14/2008, 08:28 PM

I don't clean under my rocks.

DOTZ · 02/14/2008, 08:58 PM

How long has your tank been set up? Do you have any probs with algae? I was starting to get some hair algae and started moving the rocks and vacuuming the sandbed and it has slowed down.

Curve50880 · 02/14/2008, 09:44 PM

I would love to know too...I have the same problem!

Madman133 · 02/14/2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DOTZ
How long has your tank been set up? Do you have any probs with algae? I was starting to get some hair algae and started moving the rocks and vacuuming the sandbed and it has slowed down.

I dont clean under mine either. The hair algae is not growning because of you not cleaning your rocks...most likely extra nutrients or something in your water.

ManotheSea · 02/14/2008, 10:40 PM

If you have BB hold a powerhead in your hand and shoot it under the rocks from different angles. Just blow the detrius out.

reefkoi · 02/14/2008, 10:51 PM

I have never cleaned under my rocks either, I re-scaped a section of my 2.5 year old DSB tank yesterday, left all the pumps on the whole time and the water never even got cloudy, I was down to the sandbed.
I think having 60+x's tank volume flow rate helps make sure nothing settles. Almost all the tanks I see in person don't have enough flow and the rock is so densly packed thats the problem.
C

Madman133 · 02/14/2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefkoi
I have never cleaned under my rocks either, I re-scaped a section of my 2.5 year old DSB tank yesterday, left all the pumps on the whole time and the water never even got cloudy, I was down to the sandbed.
I think having 60+x's tank volume flow rate helps make sure nothing settles. Almost all the tanks I see in person don't have enough flow and the rock is so densly packed thats the problem.
C

I'm running right around 50x and have never had this problem either as I said before.

DOTZ · 02/15/2008, 09:43 AM

I have 30 x flow not counting my skimmer. If I add more then my sand likes to move around also.
Madman the algae has slowed in growth greatly since I started removing the detrias under the rocks in the sand, so I think it's coming from there.

Reef koi do you think your succsess with the clean sand and no algae could be from your DSB? My bed is only about 2 inches.

I'm just hoping to find a way to keep it clean so I don't have to keep moving my rocks. Oh and the dirt under the rocks os like a dust it's nothing soild really. It just looks like tan dust or dirt in on the sand, and only under the rocks is it gathering together.

TomRep · 02/15/2008, 09:51 AM

Thats an easy one, go BB! I used to have the same problem and went BB. No worries anymore.
tom

reefkoi · 02/15/2008, 10:10 AM

DOTZ, I don't think the DSB is the reason, I had a DSB on a 180 years ago and it always had detritus in the rocks and under them.
I really think flow is where its at, keep the poop suspended and exported to the filter socks/ skimmer. I have really large Tangs, 15 of them in fact and when they poop its a huge amount it clouds up the tank, but it doesn't drop down onto the sand, it floats and the current pulls it up and eventually into the overflows.
C

DOTZ · 02/15/2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the info. I will try both. in one tank I'm going to go BB, beacause I have always though a carpet of zoa's would look killer, and on the other I will try adding more or better powerheads.

Do you have any suggestions on power heads for my 30? Currently I have 2 maxi 1200. How baout some koralias? In my 30 I want to stay with sand because the bed is teaming with worm and I'd hate to lose all the spegetti worms.

Kryptikhan · 02/15/2008, 11:05 AM

i'm still having the powerhead flow sand bed issue. with adding rocks re aquascaping and corals, it's an ongoing issue with powerheads and flow, it's actually a challenge as the tank is always evolving, i fear when it is "done" i will lose interest. that's what an upgrade is for!

DOTZ · 02/15/2008, 02:44 PM

HAHA Yeah a upgrade always sounds good! I hav'nt even mounted my coral because I'm afraid I'll have to tear the rocks back down and the coral will have to be moved around though.

DOTZ · 02/15/2008, 11:25 PM

Anyone else not move there rocks and have a good tank over time? Or not move there rocks and have the problem I have.

02/14/2008, 08:02 PM	#1
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	For people with mounted rocks.. How do you clean your sand bed under the rocks? I see alot of pics of tanks were people mount there rocks and I was woundering how they clean under the rocks. I want to mount mine or just aquascape a way I like and not have to worrie about tearing it down and fixing it back again, but I know when I move them there is all kinds of detrias under them. So how can I mount my rocks in towers or whatever and still keep my tank clean?

02/14/2008, 08:28 PM	#2
Snowboarda42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 1,094	I don't clean under my rocks. __________________ 40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 Current Tank Info: 40B, 20L Sump/Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return, 2x Hydor Koralia #2's, 150W 14K HQI, 139W T-5, Euro-Reef RS-80P Mesh Modded, 40LB LR, 80LB LS, 54x Turnover, Mostly SPS, Some Softys Too.

02/14/2008, 10:51 PM	#7
reefkoi Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,983	I have never cleaned under my rocks either, I re-scaped a section of my 2.5 year old DSB tank yesterday, left all the pumps on the whole time and the water never even got cloudy, I was down to the sandbed. I think having 60+x's tank volume flow rate helps make sure nothing settles. Almost all the tanks I see in person don't have enough flow and the rock is so densly packed thats the problem. C __________________ 1Kw bulb club Current Tank Info: A 600gal. on Zeovit & a 240gal.

02/15/2008, 09:51 AM	#10
TomRep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fleetwood, PA 19522 Posts: 1,219	Thats an easy one, go BB! I used to have the same problem and went BB. No worries anymore. tom __________________ "I got me a big wave, ride me a big wave, got me a big..WAVE!" Ed Vedder It's a reef thing, you wouldn't understand! Current Tank Info: 50 breeder w/o sump mixed reef, sps dominant. NEP T5 fixture with no stock bulbs, Bermuda Rogue HOB skimmer, canister filter, DIY hang on fuge, 2x modded MJ400's, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Randy's 2 part dosed with and Aquamedic twin

02/15/2008, 10:10 AM	#11
reefkoi Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,983	DOTZ, I don't think the DSB is the reason, I had a DSB on a 180 years ago and it always had detritus in the rocks and under them. I really think flow is where its at, keep the poop suspended and exported to the filter socks/ skimmer. I have really large Tangs, 15 of them in fact and when they poop its a huge amount it clouds up the tank, but it doesn't drop down onto the sand, it floats and the current pulls it up and eventually into the overflows. C __________________ 1Kw bulb club Current Tank Info: A 600gal. on Zeovit & a 240gal.

02/14/2008, 08:58 PM	#3
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	How long has your tank been set up? Do you have any probs with algae? I was starting to get some hair algae and started moving the rocks and vacuuming the sandbed and it has slowed down.

02/14/2008, 09:44 PM	#4
Curve50880 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Farmingdale NY Posts: 222	I would love to know too...I have the same problem!

02/14/2008, 10:40 PM	#6
ManotheSea Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: FL Posts: 414	If you have BB hold a powerhead in your hand and shoot it under the rocks from different angles. Just blow the detrius out.

02/15/2008, 09:43 AM	#9
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	I have 30 x flow not counting my skimmer. If I add more then my sand likes to move around also. Madman the algae has slowed in growth greatly since I started removing the detrias under the rocks in the sand, so I think it's coming from there. Reef koi do you think your succsess with the clean sand and no algae could be from your DSB? My bed is only about 2 inches. I'm just hoping to find a way to keep it clean so I don't have to keep moving my rocks. Oh and the dirt under the rocks os like a dust it's nothing soild really. It just looks like tan dust or dirt in on the sand, and only under the rocks is it gathering together.

02/15/2008, 10:59 AM	#12
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	Thanks for the info. I will try both. in one tank I'm going to go BB, beacause I have always though a carpet of zoa's would look killer, and on the other I will try adding more or better powerheads. Do you have any suggestions on power heads for my 30? Currently I have 2 maxi 1200. How baout some koralias? In my 30 I want to stay with sand because the bed is teaming with worm and I'd hate to lose all the spegetti worms.

02/15/2008, 11:05 AM	#13
Kryptikhan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East Posts: 272	i'm still having the powerhead flow sand bed issue. with adding rocks re aquascaping and corals, it's an ongoing issue with powerheads and flow, it's actually a challenge as the tank is always evolving, i fear when it is "done" i will lose interest. that's what an upgrade is for! __________________ 72 Bow Reef, 75 FW Planted, 90 Acrylic tank being transformed to sump. Larger Reef in works. Current Tank Info: 72g AGA Bow (Current 4x54 T5, Super Skimmer 125, Mag 7, Hydor 3's x2, Kent Hi-S 60gph, 20G Acrylic Sump/Fuge, Dual Bulkhead Overflow, 80 lbs sand, 100 lb rock)

02/15/2008, 02:44 PM	#14
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	HAHA Yeah a upgrade always sounds good! I hav'nt even mounted my coral because I'm afraid I'll have to tear the rocks back down and the coral will have to be moved around though.

02/15/2008, 11:25 PM	#15
DOTZ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Benton, Il Posts: 1,764	Anyone else not move there rocks and have a good tank over time? Or not move there rocks and have the problem I have.