Substrate debris

Stilgore · 06/05/2006, 12:39 PM

Hi folks,

I have had my tank up and running for awhile now and water quality is excellent.

However, I have noticed there is alot of debris on my sand. Water quality is good but is looks bad. Do I need to just increase my flow through the tank or are there some beasties I can add that will keep the sand clean.

BTW tank is a 120 and I have about 1-3 inches of sand. By debris I mean a combo of algea and fish droppings.

Thanks,
Stil

Recife · 06/05/2006, 01:18 PM

Some debris will accumulate regardless of what cleanup crew you have.
I vaccum my sand using a syphon. If you use one of those with a thinner hose very little sand will get sucked out.

brand26 · 06/05/2006, 01:58 PM

I've had my tank set-up for 4 yrs. now and never had to vacuum my sand at all. Eventually your good bacteria and good skimming will handle it.Just stay on top of your tank quality, hope this help.

Stilgore · 06/05/2006, 02:37 PM

Great, I think I probably rushed my fish stocking so that might be the reason and again, water quality is good its just rather unsightly.

Thanks again,
STil

Danfish · 06/05/2006, 02:41 PM

I got a Sally Lightfoot crab to help clean up debris.
Does a great job, but I don't have a sand bed, more of a crushed snail shell bed (large size "grains"). So the crab explores it like its just more rockwork.

06/05/2006, 12:39 PM	#1
Stilgore Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Suberb of Kansas City Posts: 79	Substrate debris Hi folks, I have had my tank up and running for awhile now and water quality is excellent. However, I have noticed there is alot of debris on my sand. Water quality is good but is looks bad. Do I need to just increase my flow through the tank or are there some beasties I can add that will keep the sand clean. BTW tank is a 120 and I have about 1-3 inches of sand. By debris I mean a combo of algea and fish droppings. Thanks, Stil

06/05/2006, 01:18 PM	#2
Recife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue - WA Posts: 282	Some debris will accumulate regardless of what cleanup crew you have. I vaccum my sand using a syphon. If you use one of those with a thinner hose very little sand will get sucked out.

06/05/2006, 01:58 PM	#3
brand26 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: carol stream,illinois Posts: 183	I've had my tank set-up for 4 yrs. now and never had to vacuum my sand at all. Eventually your good bacteria and good skimming will handle it.Just stay on top of your tank quality, hope this help.

06/05/2006, 02:37 PM	#4
Stilgore Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Suberb of Kansas City Posts: 79	Great, I think I probably rushed my fish stocking so that might be the reason and again, water quality is good its just rather unsightly. Thanks again, STil

06/05/2006, 02:41 PM	#5
Danfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 296	I got a Sally Lightfoot crab to help clean up debris. Does a great job, but I don't have a sand bed, more of a crushed snail shell bed (large size "grains"). So the crab explores it like its just more rockwork.