I think I just messed up (sand question)

salt creepette · 11-22-2003, 03:08 PM

I had crushed coral substrate, just about 3/4 inch, to cover the bottom of my tank and it was working well. well, I decided I wanted sand, (I have a sand sifting star so I thought he would appreciate my decision) so I bought some and set up the tank with it (rinsed it off) on the bottom, and put the crushed coral on top (I dont mind the variation in particle size and I wanted to keep my beneficial critters and bacteria). so the sand bed is now about 1.5 inches to 2 inches thick. (carib sea aragonite, particle size--forgive me if the decimal points are in the wrong place--.5-1.0 mm)

of course, the next day, I started reading about jerels starboard tank and how sand is such a mess.

then I started to get depressed.

so, being that I want to keep a nice clean tank, what is the best way to keep a sand bed of that depth 'clean?' Ive read that keeping a powerhead blowing across the bottom to keep detritus from settling would help. Ive also read that having nassarius snails will help, but dont snails poop too? I have a handful of hermits and an emerald crab, and two shrimps to help me out....

should I siphon the sand monthly and just let some of it come out, gradually removing it?? (I feel miserable, I wish I hadnt put it in.....)

Patman · 11-22-2003, 05:54 PM

Don't worry about the sand. Going without a DSB is the latest rage and the flavor of the day......I had a 75 for 3 years with a DSB and I just broke it down. I took the sand out and it smelled like the ocean, was loaded with life, and is now in my new 120 (along with 150 lbs of new 'dead' southdown.

I wouldn't worry, see how things go and enjoy the tank!

Pat

Geoff · 11-22-2003, 06:23 PM

a lot has to do with what you want to keep in the tank. i will be removing mine, but then again i plan on haveing close to 5000gph in a 125g! SAND STORM!!

you do not have enough to truely be called a DSB. i think you have the happy medium if it makes you feel better. bare bottom tanks look funny. i will prolly put just enough large sand in the bottom to cover it, yet not enough to really trap the detritus.

if you will vacuum it out a couple of times a year to export the nutrients that have been absorbed by the SB you will be fine. with DSB this is harder to do without disturbing to much of it and possibly releasing sulphides into the water column.

as long as you export detritus that gets caught in low flow areas you will be fine.

did i miss anything Spanky?

G~

Casey · 11-22-2003, 07:38 PM

Just suck it out slowly when you do water changes thats what im gonna do and I will replace with new when it starts to look bad,I like the looks of some sand.

Casey · 11-22-2003, 07:39 PM

not much but covers the ugly glass bottom

Reefdude5 · 11-22-2003, 08:10 PM

Beautiful Casey!

salt creepette · 11-22-2003, 10:37 PM

thanks all! casey, do you 'saturate' the colors in your pics with software before posting? (if you do, shhh, I wont tell! If you dont, dont take it as an insult, but a compliment! those colors are glowing!!!)

Casey · 11-22-2003, 10:40 PM

no its a cheap camera not mine ,I should have my camera back tuesday takes much better pics.

Casey · 11-22-2003, 10:53 PM

Heres one much more true to the naked eye taken with my camera that is in the shop.Had to go back to find this pic

salt creepette · 11-22-2003, 10:53 PM

well if youve seen my pics, you know your cheap camera is still better than mine

Casey · 11-22-2003, 10:55 PM

Heres another

Casey · 11-22-2003, 10:56 PM

The last pic is from my Olympus I cant wait to get it back.

God makes some beautiful creatures no need to enhance them

salt creepette · 11-22-2003, 11:18 PM

he sure does! and how could we forget the infamous 'row of clams?!' (I have that one saved on my computer, I hope you dont mind!

Casey · 11-22-2003, 11:34 PM

not at all I keep any pic I see that looks good.