maintaining sand bed

[Mislav]

Hi,

I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem with
it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then cyano. I
have very fine aragonite based sand.
Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often? Any
other methods?

tnx

[Marc Levenson]

As your tank matures, this tends to occur far less. How old
is your tank?

More current, nutrient free water, heavy skimming, good
lighting with un-aged bulbs all help reduce this problem.

Adding critters that move through the sand helps too, such
as pods, nassarius snails, a tigertail cucumber, and
fighting conchs.

Marc


Mislav wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem with
> it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then cyano. I
> have very fine aragonite based sand.
> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often? Any
> other methods?
>
> tnx
>
>

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[CapFusion]

"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
> Hi,
>
> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem with
> it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then cyano. I
> have very fine aragonite based sand.
> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often? Any
> other methods?
>
> tnx
>

As Marc stated....
Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and will
be weight down [eventually].

CapFusion,...

[Mislav]

My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki 50
rlt.
I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand but
cyano is in one day back.
On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals are
growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals

Mislav


"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>> with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>> cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often? Any
>> other methods?
>>
>> tnx
>>
>
> As Marc stated....
> Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and will
> be weight down [eventually].
>
> CapFusion,...
>

[Rich R]

I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im seeing
here almost every one does.
and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you in
the long run!


--
www.reeftanksonline.com
www.nydiver.com



"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
> My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki
> 50 rlt.
> I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
> but cyano is in one day back.
> On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
> are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>
> Mislav
>
>
> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>> with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>> cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>> Any other methods?
>>>
>>> tnx
>>>
>>
>> As Marc stated....
>> Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>> will be weight down [eventually].
>>
>> CapFusion,...
>>
>
>
>

[Jon]

I had the same problem. I added a fuge and switched to RO which helped out
a lot. I still get a little brown algae on the sand, but not as much as
before.


"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
> Hi,
>
> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem with
> it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then cyano. I
> have very fine aragonite based sand.
> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often? Any
> other methods?
>
> tnx
>

[CapFusion]

Be patient, your tank is just getting started. The way I combat cyano is to
have good pump / current blow just over it to pull it off and float away
and eventually goto the PS. But since your sand is just started and want
good current close, you may get a sandstorm instead. Cyano will come and
go, even in mature tank that have slow flow or deadspot. PS is the main key
to remove nutrient, lesser nutrient the harder algae [any type] could grow.

CapFusion,...


"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
> My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki
> 50 rlt.
> I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
> but cyano is in one day back.
> On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
> are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>
> Mislav
>
>
> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>> with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>> cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>> Any other methods?
>>>
>>> tnx
>>>
>>
>> As Marc stated....
>> Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>> will be weight down [eventually].
>>
>> CapFusion,...
>>
>
>

[CapFusion]

I am not sure what you meant by your reply. Especially this comment - "If
not it will kill you in the long run!".....
What is the deep you are referring to as in regard of "Sand Bed"?

Normally a DSB start to work in three inches or more [3"in min.].
Having less then 3"inch is just about the same as having a bare bottom.

CapFusion,...

"Rich R" > wrote in message
...
>I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im seeing
>here almost every one does.
> and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
> Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you in
> the long run!
>
>
> --
> www.reeftanksonline.com
> www.nydiver.com
>
>
>
> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>> My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki
>> 50 rlt.
>> I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
>> but cyano is in one day back.
>> On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
>> are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>>
>> Mislav
>>
>>
>> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>>> with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>>> cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>>> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>>> Any other methods?
>>>>
>>>> tnx
>>>>
>>>
>>> As Marc stated....
>>> Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>>> will be weight down [eventually].
>>>
>>> CapFusion,...
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

[Mislav]

Thanx for replies.
Then noone is siphoning the sand bead?
I do have 3 inches of very fine sand. If I increase the flow it will lift
the sand from the bottom. But I see the problem both in the higher flow
parts of sand layer and lower flow parts.
Watching it from the front I can see the line between aerobic and anaerobic
layer. Anaerobic layer is at aprox. 1 inch deep.

Mislav


"Rich R" > wrote in message
...
>I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im seeing
>here almost every one does.
> and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
> Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you in
> the long run!
>
>
> --
> www.reeftanksonline.com
> www.nydiver.com
>
>
>
> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>> My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki
>> 50 rlt.
>> I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
>> but cyano is in one day back.
>> On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
>> are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>>
>> Mislav
>>
>>
>> "CapFusion" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>>> with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>>> cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>>> Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>>> Any other methods?
>>>>
>>>> tnx
>>>>
>>>
>>> As Marc stated....
>>> Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>>> will be weight down [eventually].
>>>
>>> CapFusion,...
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

That is correct, we don't siphon the sand. You can try to
gently get it back into the water during a water change, or
rely on livestock to turn over the sand and keep the surface
clean.

Marc


Mislav wrote:
> Thanx for replies.
> Then noone is siphoning the sand bead?
> I do have 3 inches of very fine sand. If I increase the flow it will lift
> the sand from the bottom. But I see the problem both in the higher flow
> parts of sand layer and lower flow parts.
> Watching it from the front I can see the line between aerobic and anaerobic
> layer. Anaerobic layer is at aprox. 1 inch deep.
>
> Mislav
>
>
> "Rich R" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im seeing
>>here almost every one does.
>>and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
>>Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you in
>>the long run!
>>
>>
>>--
>>www.reeftanksonline.com
>>www.nydiver.com
>>
>>
>>
>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>
>>>My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with iwaki
>>>50 rlt.
>>>I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
>>>but cyano is in one day back.
>>>On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
>>>are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>>>
>>>Mislav
>>>
>>>
>>>"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>>
>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>>I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>>>>with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>>>>cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>>>>Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>>>>Any other methods?
>>>>>
>>>>>tnx
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>As Marc stated....
>>>>Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>>>>will be weight down [eventually].
>>>>
>>>>CapFusion,...
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Tre' Landrum]

Just a note to differentiate to those who do not understand the difference
between a deep sand bed and a ornamental sand bed (which I use). With a deep
bad you have several inches of fine sand used as part of the filtration
system. I use less than a inch of crushed coral (much larger than sand) just
so I don't see the glass bottom of my tank. There is little to no filtration
properties to it. I do siphon this every time I do a water change to get all
the gunk out that falls into it. With a deep sand bed you don't want to
interrupt the anaerobic organisms deeper in the sand bed.

So, in short:
deep sand bed: no siphon
thin sand bed: siphon

Tre'

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
om...
> That is correct, we don't siphon the sand. You can try to gently get it
> back into the water during a water change, or rely on livestock to turn
> over the sand and keep the surface clean.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Mislav wrote:
>> Thanx for replies.
>> Then noone is siphoning the sand bead?
>> I do have 3 inches of very fine sand. If I increase the flow it will lift
>> the sand from the bottom. But I see the problem both in the higher flow
>> parts of sand layer and lower flow parts.
>> Watching it from the front I can see the line between aerobic and
>> anaerobic layer. Anaerobic layer is at aprox. 1 inch deep.
>>
>> Mislav
>>
>>
>> "Rich R" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im
>>>seeing here almost every one does.
>>>and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
>>>Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you
>>>in the long run!
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>www.reeftanksonline.com
>>>www.nydiver.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>
>>>>My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with
>>>>iwaki 50 rlt.
>>>>I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the sand
>>>>but cyano is in one day back.
>>>>On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline. Corals
>>>>are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>>>>
>>>>Mislav
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
>>>>
>>>>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>>>>>with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>>>>>cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>>>>>Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>>>>>Any other methods?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>tnx
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>As Marc stated....
>>>>>Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>>>>>will be weight down [eventually].
>>>>>
>>>>>CapFusion,...
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>

[Rich R]

Ok I understand that but what type of sand for the Deep bed and do I need to
miv in Live sand

--


www.reeftanksonline.com
www.nydiver.com
ONLINE meeting rooms



"Tre' Landrum" > wrote in message
news:tE%Ed.17052$c%.5671@okepread05...
> Just a note to differentiate to those who do not understand the difference
> between a deep sand bed and a ornamental sand bed (which I use). With a
> deep bad you have several inches of fine sand used as part of the
> filtration system. I use less than a inch of crushed coral (much larger
> than sand) just so I don't see the glass bottom of my tank. There is
> little to no filtration properties to it. I do siphon this every time I do
> a water change to get all the gunk out that falls into it. With a deep
> sand bed you don't want to interrupt the anaerobic organisms deeper in the
> sand bed.
>
> So, in short:
> deep sand bed: no siphon
> thin sand bed: siphon
>
> Tre'
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> om...
>> That is correct, we don't siphon the sand. You can try to gently get it
>> back into the water during a water change, or rely on livestock to turn
>> over the sand and keep the surface clean.
>>
>> Marc
>>
>>
>> Mislav wrote:
>>> Thanx for replies.
>>> Then noone is siphoning the sand bead?
>>> I do have 3 inches of very fine sand. If I increase the flow it will
>>> lift the sand from the bottom. But I see the problem both in the higher
>>> flow parts of sand layer and lower flow parts.
>>> Watching it from the front I can see the line between aerobic and
>>> anaerobic layer. Anaerobic layer is at aprox. 1 inch deep.
>>>
>>> Mislav
>>>
>>>
>>> "Rich R" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>>I dont Run sand, Glass bottom is the way I set up, But from what Im
>>>>seeing here almost every one does.
>>>>and in the tanks that its set up correct , it looks great.
>>>>Is the sand bed your talking about deep enough? If not it will kill you
>>>>in the long run!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>www.reeftanksonline.com
>>>>www.nydiver.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>>
>>>>>My tank is 3 years old. It is 150 g with DIY downdraft skimmer with
>>>>>iwaki 50 rlt.
>>>>>I constanly get diatoms and cyano all over it. I can hand shift the
>>>>>sand but cyano is in one day back.
>>>>>On the live rock I don't have any nuissance algae, only coraline.
>>>>>Corals are growing, mainly softies and lps but also two sps corals
>>>>>
>>>>>Mislav
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>"CapFusion" > wrote in message
...
>>>>>
>>>>>>"Mislav" > wrote in message ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I'm wondering how is everyone here maintaing the sand. I have problem
>>>>>>>with it, it constantly gets algae growth over it. First diatoms, then
>>>>>>>cyano. I have very fine aragonite based sand.
>>>>>>>Is anyone sifoning the debris from sand or shifting it and how often?
>>>>>>>Any other methods?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>tnx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>As Marc stated....
>>>>>>Your sand will stay as your tank mature. The sand will get slimed and
>>>>>>will be weight down [eventually].
>>>>>>
>>>>>>CapFusion,...
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>
>
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Ideally, aragonite based sand, that is fine like sugar
crystals. However, if you can't find that in your area,
beach sand will work as well. I've used both. The first
one is better because it is calcium-based.

Yes, you want to seed the dry dead sand with some live
bacteria, pods and worms. Buy a cup or two (2lbs) of LS
from your LFS, taken from one of their display or refugium
tanks.

Marc


Rich R wrote:
> Ok I understand that but what type of sand for the Deep bed and do I need to
> miv in Live sand
>

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Rich R]

always helpfull thank you,


www.reeftanksonline.com
www.nydiver.com
ONLINE meeting rooms



"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
m...
> Ideally, aragonite based sand, that is fine like sugar crystals. However,
> if you can't find that in your area, beach sand will work as well. I've
> used both. The first one is better because it is calcium-based.
>
> Yes, you want to seed the dry dead sand with some live bacteria, pods and
> worms. Buy a cup or two (2lbs) of LS from your LFS, taken from one of
> their display or refugium tanks.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Rich R wrote:
>> Ok I understand that but what type of sand for the Deep bed and do I need
>> to miv in Live sand
>>
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>