[ylmaya]

I am noticing 2 specific areas in the back of the tank that must be "dead spots" for current because all kinds of "stuff" is settling there. I put a hermit crab there and he is having a party but I know this won't solve the problem.

I already have pretty strong current in the tank (mag 9 for return and a maxi-1200 near the opposite side from the return for extra movement).

Any suggestions on how to avoid this "trash dump" in the back of the tank????

 

[tdwyatt]

...Any suggestions on how to avoid this "trash dump" in the back of the tank????

Well, it depends on what your goal and support for the system is.

If you want to keep it in suspension, use a piece of 1/2" PVC, cap one end and put a PH on the other. Drill holes every 4 to 6 inches with a 1/8" drillbit and point the holes up relative to the bottom. You can place this arrangement on the bottom where your debris collection is and it will drive water up from the bottom by creating current behind the rock. You could arrange it parallel to the bottom, but if you have a dsb, it may cause some rearrangement of the substrate. If you want to remove the suspended materials from the water column, skim heavily at for a few days, then adjust your skimmer to normal levels once the bulk of the suspended material has been removed. If you run a skimmerless system, this becomes suspended food for your filter feeders.

If your intent is to remove the material altogether, add a piece of rigid tubing to the end of your siphon when doing your water changes and siphon it out each 2 weeks. This removes the organics as well as whatever materials/metals/excess nutrients have collected there.

hth

 

[ylmaya]

Yes - I have a DSB and I am already watching the 1200 go to work on the sand via cross currents - it is actually kind of neat to see the DSB constantly shifting. At first it was landing on a nice patch of green corraline and covering it but I moved some rocks around and now I just get shifting hills and valleys (except in the dead area....)

I like your idea of a PVC tube. I'll get the hubby to go to work on that for me. I would like the detritus out of the system just cause I fear nitrates.....I am guessing tho that this buildup is also because of the "curing" of my rock and after I suck it out (with a baster or syphon) perhaps I won't have as much of a collection.

Thanks for the feedback!

THANKS!