Moving live sand in tank

afamousjohnson · 12/13/2011, 03:57 PM

Is there any safe way to move live sand about in your tank without disrupting so much as to start a cycle(and that is what happens..right??) I have a bugger of a sea cucumber that likes to move all my sand to the back of the tank in big piles leaving only a small layer in the front. Im sure in due time he'll be reversing his process, but was just wondering on a possible fix, and or can I add more sand for him to deal with without creating a cycle??
thanks.

Water Tecn · 12/13/2011, 04:06 PM

maybe a strong power head to slowly blow it back to the front?

jrdonnellyjr · 12/13/2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afamousjohnson

Is there any safe way to move live sand about in your tank without disrupting so much as to start a cycle(and that is what happens..right??) I have a bugger of a sea cucumber that likes to move all my sand to the back of the tank in big piles leaving only a small layer in the front. Im sure in due time he'll be reversing his process, but was just wondering on a possible fix, and or can I add more sand for him to deal with without creating a cycle??
thanks.

Get a sea cucumber that likes to move the sand from the back to the front!!!

fishinchick · 12/13/2011, 04:12 PM

LOL Cukes don't move sand like that.

It's a powerhead, your return flow, or a bratty clownfish or damsel. ;p

If your sand has been moved recently, there's not much harm in pushing it back and causing it to freak out. Just reach in and push it back into place.

dimitrge · 12/13/2011, 04:19 PM

Check the power heads and if you have a goby it too moves sand to burrough. You should see the sand moving if you watch that area for a few minutes. It might be a little but then overnight it adds up

seapug · 12/13/2011, 04:27 PM

if the sand hasn't been sitting there for a long time and become clogged with detritus you shouldn't have any issues simply moving it back with your hands or a plastic spoon.

fishinchick · 12/13/2011, 04:30 PM

I got one of those little wood rakes from those zen sand kits you keep on your desk at work.

It's nice for grooming sandbeds. You can do groovy designs and trip out your family by telling them your snails do that ....

Zappo · 12/13/2011, 06:16 PM

You can't create a cycle. It's an ongoing process in the tank. That being said, sand that's been blown around is probably pretty clean and unlikely to have too much crud trapped in it. I wouldn't worry about moving it back. But just to be on the safe side, poke around in it and see how clean it looks.

freeswimmingfis · 12/14/2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishinchick

I got one of those little wood rakes from those zen sand kits you keep on your desk at work.

It's nice for grooming sandbeds. You can do groovy designs and trip out your family by telling them your snails do that ....

Haha... thats funny.
I know what I am doing tonight!!

12/13/2011, 03:57 PM	#1
afamousjohnson Just Keep Swimming Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chico, ca Posts: 765	Moving live sand in tank Is there any safe way to move live sand about in your tank without disrupting so much as to start a cycle(and that is what happens..right??) I have a bugger of a sea cucumber that likes to move all my sand to the back of the tank in big piles leaving only a small layer in the front. Im sure in due time he'll be reversing his process, but was just wondering on a possible fix, and or can I add more sand for him to deal with without creating a cycle?? thanks. __________________ The cure for everything is Saltwater Sweat, Tears, and the Sea Experience is something you get right after you need it.....than there was RC Current Tank Info: 90gallon bonsai 2B inspired SPS /- mixed reef DT, 40gallon sump, and all the cool gadgets i can get on it

12/13/2011, 04:12 PM	#4
fishinchick Mrs. Aquaman ;) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,494	LOL Cukes don't move sand like that. It's a powerhead, your return flow, or a bratty clownfish or damsel. ;p If your sand has been moved recently, there's not much harm in pushing it back and causing it to freak out. Just reach in and push it back into place. __________________ Often the best answers are the ones using the least complicated explanations and smaller words. Adrienne Longo-White Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed soft/LPS

12/13/2011, 04:27 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	if the sand hasn't been sitting there for a long time and become clogged with detritus you shouldn't have any issues simply moving it back with your hands or a plastic spoon. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

12/13/2011, 04:30 PM	#7
fishinchick Mrs. Aquaman ;) Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,494	I got one of those little wood rakes from those zen sand kits you keep on your desk at work. It's nice for grooming sandbeds. You can do groovy designs and trip out your family by telling them your snails do that .... __________________ Often the best answers are the ones using the least complicated explanations and smaller words. Adrienne Longo-White Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed soft/LPS

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12/13/2011, 04:06 PM	#2
Water Tecn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 86	maybe a strong power head to slowly blow it back to the front?

12/13/2011, 04:19 PM	#5
dimitrge Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 89	Check the power heads and if you have a goby it too moves sand to burrough. You should see the sand moving if you watch that area for a few minutes. It might be a little but then overnight it adds up

12/13/2011, 06:16 PM	#8
Zappo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 582	You can't create a cycle. It's an ongoing process in the tank. That being said, sand that's been blown around is probably pretty clean and unlikely to have too much crud trapped in it. I wouldn't worry about moving it back. But just to be on the safe side, poke around in it and see how clean it looks.