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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/18/2009 3:34:39 PM
Posts: 74,
Visits: 118
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Well after 2 years of not touching my sand bed, I decided that it was time for a good vacuum. I'm going to do it over a month, doing a 1/4 of the bed once a week, so as to not devastate my infauna population. Well, to get to the point, I was having a nice run of it getting out some really nasty stuff from my sand bed, I'm taking green/black, smelly stuff (2 year's worth of waste from my overly stocked tank) and wouldn't you know it, I lost the siphon and in my attempt to restart it I didn't notice that the tube had a bend full of the nastiest stuff you'll ever see and I got a nice mouthful. Man I love this hobby! So my question is this. My tank has been overstocked with fish for the greater part of two years and despite my infauna population, sea cucumbers, plenty of flow, etc. I still ended up with a nasty substrate. I have reduced my fish stock but want to know whether I should make it a routine to vacuum my sand bed every 6 months or so? Oh, and one other thing, I'm I going to die? Kidding, but I'm thinking if my body can deal with what I ingested today then there is nothing that could get me sick!
Raul Roman
*Raul's Mini-Reef website*
*Click on the (www) icon below*
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/5/2006 12:02:11 PM
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Visits: 64
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| I would think that a well set up and maintained sb would not require vacuming as it would cause more harm than good. If the sb is in bad shape, then corrective action should be taken. Sea Cucumbers may be bad and eat the infauna that is helpful. I too, will wait for the expert opinion.
300 reef in wall with dsb
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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I'm inclined to agree... with adequate water flow and a decent biodiversity (supported by annual or better influx of small portions of new live rock/live sand), the infaunal population can take care of itself. Opportunistic species will wax and wane with rate limiting components of the sand bed dynamic. I really don't see siphoning as necessary... but occassionally it may be good if you feed solids are accumulating excessively.
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/3/2009 8:47:46 AM
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| An excellent way to start a siphon is to hold the high end of the hose up against your return pump discharge. Happy reefing, Jon
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
Posts: 4,164,
Visits: 2,687
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very good tip, Jon  Thanks
.Anthony Calfo
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