Sand

ScubaDrew · 08-29-2007, 03:06 PM

My sand is starting to get a bit brown and red. I expect this with the new setup but am interested in ways to keep it clean - what are your recommendations for inverts, etc to clean SSB?

Stars - what types?
Cucumbers - I added 1 black tigertail yesterday.
Snails - I have a bunch of snails but they seem to enjoy the LR and tank glass much more than the sand.
sand sifting fish - i've heard of these, but am not sure what they are called

I'm working on a closed loop to increase flow - corner bow is difficult!

thanks,

Drew

blue_eyes53813 · 08-29-2007, 03:12 PM

My yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp stir the sand pretty good, cerith snails do good, Fighting conchs and hermits will clean the sand., Your cucumber should be good also..

Xtreme1024 · 08-29-2007, 03:15 PM

I just had this problem, I added another pump in tank and it seems to be doing the trick, red and brown algae is slowly going away

Kazzy · 08-29-2007, 06:08 PM

Narssarius snails are excellent sand sifters.

AQTCJAK · 08-29-2007, 07:12 PM

The brown is easy snails crabs cucumbers etc.. will take care of that. The red is it Cyno Bacteria?

tbittner · 08-29-2007, 11:17 PM

Sand sifting star fish really do an amazing job in my tank. Don't over populate them though. I think the "rule" is one per 50 gallons. Otherwise, they will starve to death.

JT101 · 08-30-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtreme1024

I just had this problem, I added another pump in tank and it seems to be doing the trick, red and brown algae is slowly going away

I am interested in this comment. Is the additional water flow what keeps the sand white?

ScubaDrew · 08-30-2007, 10:45 AM

I've read that flow will keep the algae from being able to settle and grow. I'm sure this is what he's talking about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT101

I am interested in this comment. Is the additional water flow what keeps the sand white?

ScubaDrew · 08-30-2007, 10:46 AM

I've read that one of these guys can consume all the little organisms in the sand very quickly. I'm not sure what affect this might have on things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbittner

Sand sifting star fish really do an amazing job in my tank. Don't over populate them though. I think the "rule" is one per 50 gallons. Otherwise, they will starve to death.

JT101 · 08-30-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaDrew

I've read that flow will keep the algae from being able to settle and grow. I'm sure this is what he's talking about.

Yes, I am beginning to feel the same way. Some of the cleanest tanks I have seen have the most amount of flow. Problem is, I don't know how much is TOO much. Isn't there the possibility of overdoing it and creating a situation where your fish cannot "rest" against the flow?

Fionn_Matt325 · 09-01-2007, 06:27 PM

How do you know when you have "enough" flow?

framerguy · 09-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazzy

Narssarius snails are excellent sand sifters.

He's right, they burrow in the sand to sleep and come out for food and cleanup. 1-2/gallon is a good number to have.

08-29-2007, 03:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,045 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sand My sand is starting to get a bit brown and red. I expect this with the new setup but am interested in ways to keep it clean - what are your recommendations for inverts, etc to clean SSB? Stars - what types? Cucumbers - I added 1 black tigertail yesterday. Snails - I have a bunch of snails but they seem to enjoy the LR and tank glass much more than the sand. sand sifting fish - i've heard of these, but am not sure what they are called I'm working on a closed loop to increase flow - corner bow is difficult! thanks, Drew __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-29-2007, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,621 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Sand My yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp stir the sand pretty good, cerith snails do good, Fighting conchs and hermits will clean the sand., Your cucumber should be good also.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

08-29-2007, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Xtreme1024 Limpet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Williamstown, NJ Posts: 144 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Sand I just had this problem, I added another pump in tank and it seems to be doing the trick, red and brown algae is slowly going away

08-29-2007, 06:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kazzy Scopas Tang Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KS Posts: 440 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Sand Narssarius snails are excellent sand sifters. __________________ Grant New favorite quote: I would not, could not BUY YOUR LOAN. I would not, could not MAKE MONEY FAST. I would not, could not SEND NO CA$H. I would not, could not SEE YOUR SITE. I would not, could not EAT VEG-I-MITE. I do_not_like GREEN CARDS AND SPAM! Mandarin Policeman http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

08-29-2007, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,129 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Sand The brown is easy snails crabs cucumbers etc.. will take care of that. The red is it Cyno Bacteria? __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

08-29-2007, 11:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Sand Sand sifting star fish really do an amazing job in my tank. Don't over populate them though. I think the "rule" is one per 50 gallons. Otherwise, they will starve to death. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

09-01-2007, 06:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 164 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Sand How do you know when you have "enough" flow? __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo Last edited by Fionn_Matt325 : 09-02-2007 at 02:44 PM.

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