Any tips on cleaning sand??

[B4tney]

So I have really fine sand, I would like to clean the surface off. Does anyone have and tips that will help or ways they do it. Thanks forthe help guys.


Bf

 

[B4tney]

Let me clarify, I have fish poop for lesser term on the top of my sand and don't like how it looks any ideas on how to get that out. I was thinking stir up sand and then let set and siphon off the top layer. Should I take my live rock out or leave in.

 

[ava420]

i would guess a better clean up crew first... i never clean my sand and i'm pretty sure its not a good idea to stir it up. i have a sand sifting starfish and a couple of tiger conchs also a dozen or so hermits they keep the sand nice and white... the wrasse helps too...

 

[s_kelley]

You can siphon out when doing a water change. Try to only suck up the fish poop. I would not stir up the sand bed though. Do you have a clean up crew in your tank?

 

[B4tney]

I need to get a better clean up crew. But I am moving to a 30 gal tank so I don't wanna over load the tank I have now. What would you guys recommend for a 10 gal tank and then what you think I should get for a 30. Right now for fish in the tank I have 2 clown and a Pygmy angel and a BTA. 3 Nass. Snails

 

[B4tney]

Also I know I need a bigger cleaning clew. Just would like options because new to this and I want white sand again lol. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[beckbrass]

More flow in the tank will also help keep things from landing on the bottom. Lack o flow can cause dead spots where detritus can build up.

 

[B4tney]

Should I use like a fresh water filter until I get in the 30 gal tank that will have the overflow tank.

 

[beckbrass]

You can run a hang him back filter just make sure you clean it every few days. When you do water changes you can siphons out the detritus. What do you have for flow?

 

[B4tney]

Well right now I am just using a powerhead. It's only a 10 gal tank I am working on a 30 gal tank and sm going to help with all that stuff. Sorry I am a disgrace to this hobby lol I am new.

 

[RadReefer]

When you set up your 30 gal use aragonite instead of fine sand. You can siphon it without losing it.

 

[pallobi]

I recommend more flow...

if you have alot of stuff settling on your sandbed, especially in more open areas, you dont have enough flow in general, let alone the poo' issue...

 

[PSU4ME]

I think you might have too many fish in your 10g tank and that could be the main reason why you're seeing the poop......tank can't break it down fast enough because your bioload is pretty heavy. 3 fish and a BTA in a 10g tank is a bunch IMO.

 

[stingythingy45]

+1 to everybody saying more flow.
You should not have any fish poop sitting on the sand bed,get that water moving.

 

[PSU4ME]

More flow with fine sand doesn't make sense to me. Yes, more flow will get it up off the sand and into the water column but then where does it go? Won't the fine sand pick up as well?

 

[stingythingy45]

Into whatever filter system the op has,hopefully.For me that would be the skimmer.For the op it could be an HOB filter.
Even doing a water change will remove nutrients if they are off the sand.
JMO,but I'd never put"fine"sand in a reef or a salt water tank anyways.
Sugar size is best.

 

[smile57]

More flow in the tank will also help keep things from landing on the bottom. Lack o flow can cause dead spots where detritus can build up.

This soooo true!