Deep Sand Bed

pcsimon · 10/23/2006, 10:50 AM

I am having problems with detritus build up on the surface of my sand bed in my 75gal reef. I don't know if it is cynobacteria, some form of hair alge, or just junk from live rock. I am wondering if it is a good idea to stir up the 4 inch deep sand bed to try to rectify the problem? All of my chemistry is in check, and I have sufficient skimming. Possibly a change in my lighting is in order, I have 4X65 on over the tank 10 hours a day. Also, I cannot keep snails in my tank because my hermit crabs eat them, the only other solution I can think of is to aquire a sand sifting star to turn over the sand bed on a regular basis, but I hear that they can be problematic in a tank my size and often starve. Any other ideas, thoughts or solutions would be appreciated. The stuff is a dark drown, not red, and forms in a thin layer on the surface of the bed. Thanks

Jocko · 10/23/2006, 11:08 AM

If there is alot of buildup on the surface you could always try to vacuum it off without disturbing the sandbed too much. If your tank is new, then there will be stages that your tank go through that should pass after not too long. At one point your sand and glass will develop patches of orange/brown color. If thats all it is then just keep up your water quality and it should pass.

You should find some empty shells and add them to your tank. Your hermits are not going after the snails, they are going after the shells. If they have empty shells available they will leave your snails alone for the most part.

For sand sifting, get some nassarius snails. They dig into the sand and stir it up. They rule!

chrisd1009 · 10/23/2006, 03:12 PM

don't mix the entire bed. This sounds like part of the cycle. How long has the sand bed been in place?
You might need an increase in water flow closer to the sand bed.
A goby will mix around the sand a little for you and as Jocko said... nassarius snails rule.

pcsimon · 10/23/2006, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the tips, what kind of goby do you recomend? Also, my tank is two years old, so I don't know if it is just a cycle. What kind of bad things happen if I do mix up the bed?

jag1979 · 10/23/2006, 04:59 PM

I like conch's to clean up the sand bed

chrisd1009 · 10/23/2006, 06:46 PM

2 years... water flow over your bed would definately help. It's no a cycle.
I like 4 wheel drive gobies. They stay lower when they sift sand through their gills. There's another goby with a yellow head and a grey body that is by far the best sand sifter, but they swim up while they let the sand fall through their gills and really make a mess.
Personally, I don't think a little fish can do as much as some snails and some good flow over the bed.

10/23/2006, 10:50 AM	#1
pcsimon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 47	Deep Sand Bed I am having problems with detritus build up on the surface of my sand bed in my 75gal reef. I don't know if it is cynobacteria, some form of hair alge, or just junk from live rock. I am wondering if it is a good idea to stir up the 4 inch deep sand bed to try to rectify the problem? All of my chemistry is in check, and I have sufficient skimming. Possibly a change in my lighting is in order, I have 4X65 on over the tank 10 hours a day. Also, I cannot keep snails in my tank because my hermit crabs eat them, the only other solution I can think of is to aquire a sand sifting star to turn over the sand bed on a regular basis, but I hear that they can be problematic in a tank my size and often starve. Any other ideas, thoughts or solutions would be appreciated. The stuff is a dark drown, not red, and forms in a thin layer on the surface of the bed. Thanks

10/23/2006, 03:12 PM	#3
chrisd1009 Lurker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 226	don't mix the entire bed. This sounds like part of the cycle. How long has the sand bed been in place? You might need an increase in water flow closer to the sand bed. A goby will mix around the sand a little for you and as Jocko said... nassarius snails rule. __________________ But my water parameters are perfect? The best customer service is the one you don't need. Current Tank Info: planning phase

10/23/2006, 06:46 PM	#6
chrisd1009 Lurker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 226	2 years... water flow over your bed would definately help. It's no a cycle. I like 4 wheel drive gobies. They stay lower when they sift sand through their gills. There's another goby with a yellow head and a grey body that is by far the best sand sifter, but they swim up while they let the sand fall through their gills and really make a mess. Personally, I don't think a little fish can do as much as some snails and some good flow over the bed. __________________ But my water parameters are perfect? The best customer service is the one you don't need. Current Tank Info: planning phase

10/23/2006, 11:08 AM	#2
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	If there is alot of buildup on the surface you could always try to vacuum it off without disturbing the sandbed too much. If your tank is new, then there will be stages that your tank go through that should pass after not too long. At one point your sand and glass will develop patches of orange/brown color. If thats all it is then just keep up your water quality and it should pass. You should find some empty shells and add them to your tank. Your hermits are not going after the snails, they are going after the shells. If they have empty shells available they will leave your snails alone for the most part. For sand sifting, get some nassarius snails. They dig into the sand and stir it up. They rule!

10/23/2006, 03:32 PM	#4
pcsimon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 47	Thanks for the tips, what kind of goby do you recomend? Also, my tank is two years old, so I don't know if it is just a cycle. What kind of bad things happen if I do mix up the bed?

10/23/2006, 04:59 PM	#5
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I like conch's to clean up the sand bed