Sand Questions

jakaufman · 07/05/2006, 09:15 PM

Hey Everyone,

I know a sandstorm is completely normal (especially with the mix of southdown used)

the question is.. every time something slightly moves in the tank it stirs up, or if i use a turkey baster to blow some off that has settled on the rocks or equipment it clouds up again.. will that every go away? how do you work in the tank if it storms up like that all the time?

i'm used to a freshwater tank where during water changes you use the siphon and get the detritus off the substrate, but it seems like if i tried to do that in mine now it would start this sandstorm all over again

isnt there something like it will get bacteria that keeps it in place after the cycle? i just wanted to confirm that something will keep this tank from being cloudy forever hehe

masterqaz · 07/05/2006, 10:08 PM

i find that the sand seems to compact over time, i use sugar grade sand in my reef and it doesnt seem to move very easily in my tank when i stir up stuff.
How fine is your substrate? cause if its anything like mine you really dont need to gravel wash it.

fservillon · 07/05/2006, 10:12 PM

take the sand out..voila, no more sand storm :-) just a suggestion from a bb guy.

AZDesertRat · 07/05/2006, 10:22 PM

Once the sand is coated with bacteria it will settle like a rock. How old is the system and what have you seeded it with? It works out great to get a few cups of sand from different friends tanks to jump start the growth and then it really takes off.

Infern0 · 07/06/2006, 08:55 AM

I agree...it will settle with time. You're going to have that thin layer of micro sand on the surface for a while...just do your best to leave it alone and in time you wont even see it anymore...it will have sunk to the bottom. Especially if you have a lot of bottom dweller clean up crew. They pack it down.

07/05/2006, 09:15 PM	#1
jakaufman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 288	Sand Questions Hey Everyone, I know a sandstorm is completely normal (especially with the mix of southdown used) the question is.. every time something slightly moves in the tank it stirs up, or if i use a turkey baster to blow some off that has settled on the rocks or equipment it clouds up again.. will that every go away? how do you work in the tank if it storms up like that all the time? i'm used to a freshwater tank where during water changes you use the siphon and get the detritus off the substrate, but it seems like if i tried to do that in mine now it would start this sandstorm all over again isnt there something like it will get bacteria that keeps it in place after the cycle? i just wanted to confirm that something will keep this tank from being cloudy forever hehe

07/05/2006, 10:12 PM	#3
fservillon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Rancho Bernardo, CA Posts: 211	take the sand out..voila, no more sand storm :-) just a suggestion from a bb guy. __________________ F.D.S. Current Tank Info: 60G Cube (2'x2'x2'), 1 x XM 250W 20K MH, 1 x Seio 1500, 1 x Seio 1100, CSS 65 Skimmer, Sumpless, Fugeless, 50lbs Fiji LR, Barebottom, Softies Tank

07/05/2006, 10:08 PM	#2
masterqaz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oakville Ont. Canada Posts: 551	i find that the sand seems to compact over time, i use sugar grade sand in my reef and it doesnt seem to move very easily in my tank when i stir up stuff. How fine is your substrate? cause if its anything like mine you really dont need to gravel wash it.

07/05/2006, 10:22 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Once the sand is coated with bacteria it will settle like a rock. How old is the system and what have you seeded it with? It works out great to get a few cups of sand from different friends tanks to jump start the growth and then it really takes off.

07/06/2006, 08:55 AM	#5
Infern0 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 229	I agree...it will settle with time. You're going to have that thin layer of micro sand on the surface for a while...just do your best to leave it alone and in time you wont even see it anymore...it will have sunk to the bottom. Especially if you have a lot of bottom dweller clean up crew. They pack it down.