noob: dirty sand bed

cxr133 · 05/02/2006, 10:02 PM

whats the best to get to clean my dirty sand bed?
its starting to get bvlack in areas..

snails??
starfish?

help a newbie out

Thanks

kraze3 · 05/02/2006, 10:08 PM

A sandsifting starfish and some snails(nassarius, turbo) should do the job

bertoni · 05/02/2006, 10:10 PM

I would avoid the sand-sifting stars because they tend to starve over time. A few cerith snails might help, but if the problem is cyanobacteria, you'll likely need to starve it out, since finding grazers that reliably eat cyanobacteria seems difficult.

mbbuna · 05/02/2006, 10:11 PM

i think we need to know more about your tank, filtration, sand&depth and what you are keeping too find out why its turning black

cxr133 · 05/02/2006, 10:26 PM

90 gallon tank w/ eurofil sump (acrylic w/center overflow)
ASM g2 skimmer
activated carbon
filter sock

sand bed is about 3 inches deep
currently have lots of live rock (100+ lbs)
8 chromis
4 clarkii clowns
1 bar goby
1 sailfin blenny

assorted mushrooms grown on the rocks
and 2 snails (narc i think)

i bought this as an established tank from a member here and its been running about 3 weeks

just noticing in spots where the sand is starting to get black.

bertoni · 05/02/2006, 10:27 PM

If it's just been moved, it might still be resettling, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. How much are you feeding?

mbbuna · 05/02/2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
If it's just been moved, it might still be resettling,

i agree with that but moving a sand bed can be very risky. watch your Ammonia and be prepared to do water changes.

cxr133 · 05/02/2006, 10:32 PM

daily..... its starting to get unsightly i was just wondering if i should get a starfish?

or do snails clean it?

cxr133 · 05/02/2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbbuna
i agree with that but moving a sand bed can be very risky. watch your Ammonia and be prepared to do water changes.

i have been doing 30-40 gal. water changes weekly to try to bring the nitrate levels down anyway

Avast Marine · 05/02/2006, 10:55 PM

I just moved a 29 with a DSB this past weekend. I did a 50% wc on moving day and have been doing 15% changes every single day since. My nitrate went from 0-5ppm to 160+ in less than 2 hours. I haven't had any ammonia spike yet but am testing and watching like a hawk. I have the nitrates back down to 80ppm and am wet skimming the tank. I don't think I will ever try to move a tank with a DSB again. The good news for me is that all livestock seems to be doing well.

mbbuna · 05/02/2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cxr133
daily..... its starting to get unsightly i was just wondering if i should get a starfish?

or do snails clean it?

siphon it out with a hose and replace with new salt water mix

mbbuna · 05/02/2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dandy7200
My nitrate went from 0-5ppm to 160+ in less than 2 hours.

good luck to you brother

ive been there

05/02/2006, 10:02 PM	#1
cxr133 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 270	noob: dirty sand bed whats the best to get to clean my dirty sand bed? its starting to get bvlack in areas.. snails?? starfish? help a newbie out Thanks

05/02/2006, 10:10 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would avoid the sand-sifting stars because they tend to starve over time. A few cerith snails might help, but if the problem is cyanobacteria, you'll likely need to starve it out, since finding grazers that reliably eat cyanobacteria seems difficult. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/02/2006, 10:27 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If it's just been moved, it might still be resettling, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. How much are you feeding? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/02/2006, 10:55 PM	#10
Avast Marine RC Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,446	I just moved a 29 with a DSB this past weekend. I did a 50% wc on moving day and have been doing 15% changes every single day since. My nitrate went from 0-5ppm to 160+ in less than 2 hours. I haven't had any ammonia spike yet but am testing and watching like a hawk. I have the nitrates back down to 80ppm and am wet skimming the tank. I don't think I will ever try to move a tank with a DSB again. The good news for me is that all livestock seems to be doing well. __________________ Dan Don't rush art, you get bad art.

05/02/2006, 10:08 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	A sandsifting starfish and some snails(nassarius, turbo) should do the job

05/02/2006, 10:11 PM	#4
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	i think we need to know more about your tank, filtration, sand&depth and what you are keeping too find out why its turning black

05/02/2006, 10:26 PM	#5
cxr133 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 270	90 gallon tank w/ eurofil sump (acrylic w/center overflow) ASM g2 skimmer activated carbon filter sock sand bed is about 3 inches deep currently have lots of live rock (100+ lbs) 8 chromis 4 clarkii clowns 1 bar goby 1 sailfin blenny assorted mushrooms grown on the rocks and 2 snails (narc i think) i bought this as an established tank from a member here and its been running about 3 weeks just noticing in spots where the sand is starting to get black.

05/02/2006, 10:32 PM	#8
cxr133 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 270	daily..... its starting to get unsightly i was just wondering if i should get a starfish? or do snails clean it?