maintaining sand bed

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
news
"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

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
news
"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

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

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