cleaning detrius?

mirandacollc · 11-20-2008, 05:07 PM

Anyone have any input on cleaning the junk that builds up on the bottom and live rock? I cant get it with a siphon easily? what to do about this. I tried stirring it up a few months ago and figured heck let the filer take care of it then haha algae bloom gallor. Now im just trying to clean this up. Any avvise. And any imput on cleaning the bio-balls?

lunatik_69 · 11-20-2008, 05:29 PM

If its the sand, I just syphon it, if its on the bottom of something, I also syphon it. I use a turkey baster for the LR or when I top off, I just pour the water over the rocks. Luna

mirandacollc · 11-20-2008, 05:36 PM

I try to siphon it and it sucks up my sand. Then I go above it and it doesent move. I am lost. I am used to siphon my fresh water tanks but this is bothering me. I am trying to get some crap off the bottom. i think I might try the turkey baster! thanks

techno2 · 11-20-2008, 05:54 PM

For the Bio Balls, I hear the best plan is to remove 25% every month or so and rinse.
This is tough to do I know , but that is what they say.

The idea is you do not want to disrupt too much of your bio filter at once.

For the Detruius, yeh as Luna says. Also, some use a power heard to stir it up and let the filter take it.

Good Luck

bc219 · 11-20-2008, 05:58 PM

I do what Luna is talking about when I do water changes. I either use the turkey baster or a power head and blow everything everywhere then siphon like crazy!

lillys Grandad · 11-20-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bc219

I do what Luna is talking about when I do water changes. I either use the turkey baster or a power head and blow everything everywhere then siphon like crazy!

ditto that..
You Bet'cha ! Stir it up..pump / siphon it out...and repeat. And/Or get some turbo snails.
LG

lunatik_69 · 11-21-2008, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandacollc

I try to siphon it and it sucks up my sand. Then I go above it and it doesent move. I am lost. I am used to siphon my fresh water tanks but this is bothering me. I am trying to get some crap off the bottom. i think I might try the turkey baster! thanks

I hope that your using one of these;

if so, dont handle the siphoning tube vertically, handle it in a 45 deg. angle. Or you also can "pinch" the hose when you start to see the sand come up. I dont always have the room to do the 45 deg. angle so I just pinch the hose, wait for the sand to come down a little and "un-pitch" the hose. Luna

bc219 · 11-21-2008, 07:28 AM

I've always read not to use those with saltwater, that you end up sucking up your pods and other beneficial stuff. Heck, if it's a good idea I should start using the one I had for my freshwater tanks...

unclejed · 11-21-2008, 07:33 AM

Hello Miranda, I (and many others) am not a proponent of siphoning the substrate. This only invites trouble with releasing undesirables (Nitrate for one) into the water volume. I use Nassarius Snails to keep the substrate clean and shifted. I use Marine-Clean that has bacteria and enzymes to "reduction of organic particles caused by sludge, excess proteins, uneaten food and fish feces" so I don't blow off the rock.

Dr.Fragenstein · 11-21-2008, 07:41 AM

TURKEY BASTER!!!

note, your were supposed to hear trumpets blaring.....

11-20-2008, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
mirandacollc MX 838 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon ME Age: 33 Posts: 1,056 Skin: Mint Karma: 6293	cleaning detrius? Anyone have any input on cleaning the junk that builds up on the bottom and live rock? I cant get it with a siphon easily? what to do about this. I tried stirring it up a few months ago and figured heck let the filer take care of it then haha algae bloom gallor. Now im just trying to clean this up. Any avvise. And any imput on cleaning the bio-balls? _________ 2 year old 220 reef tank, 40 gallon sump with fuge, PM bullet 2 skimmer, 350 lbs of LR, also 150fowlr and red sea max.

11-20-2008, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
lunatik_69 PICTURE POLICE ENFORCER Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, FL Age: 40 Posts: 7,912 Skin: Classic Karma: 45305	If its the sand, I just syphon it, if its on the bottom of something, I also syphon it. I use a turkey baster for the LR or when I top off, I just pour the water over the rocks. Luna _________ 11 yr old system, 90g Corner-megaflow DT, custom 55g sump/refug, 692w lighting, Mag-18, AquaC EV 180, AC-Jr, Pin-Point Cal monitor and too many corals and fish to list. Happy Reefing

11-21-2008, 07:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
unclejed Clown Trigger Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Clinton Township, Michigan Age: 54 Posts: 2,043 Skin: Classic Karma: 14113	Hello Miranda, I (and many others) am not a proponent of siphoning the substrate. This only invites trouble with releasing undesirables (Nitrate for one) into the water volume. I use Nassarius Snails to keep the substrate clean and shifted. I use Marine-Clean that has bacteria and enzymes to "reduction of organic particles caused by sludge, excess proteins, uneaten food and fish feces" so I don't blow off the rock. _________ "To read a newspaper is to refrain from reading something worthwhile. The first discipline of education must therefore be to refuse resolutely to feed the mind with canned chatter." -- Aleister Crowley

11-21-2008, 07:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 2,108 Skin: Mint Karma: 26304	TURKEY BASTER!!! note, your were supposed to hear trumpets blaring..... _________ Big glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs.... SUPPORT YOUR LOCALS! My Tank Thread... If you have T5 questions go here... T5 Questions ...

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11-20-2008, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
mirandacollc MX 838 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lebanon ME Age: 33 Posts: 1,056 Skin: Mint Karma: 6293	I try to siphon it and it sucks up my sand. Then I go above it and it doesent move. I am lost. I am used to siphon my fresh water tanks but this is bothering me. I am trying to get some crap off the bottom. i think I might try the turkey baster! thanks

11-20-2008, 05:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
techno2 Millepora Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 936 Skin: Mint Karma: 1221	For the Bio Balls, I hear the best plan is to remove 25% every month or so and rinse. This is tough to do I know , but that is what they say. The idea is you do not want to disrupt too much of your bio filter at once. For the Detruius, yeh as Luna says. Also, some use a power heard to stir it up and let the filter take it. Good Luck

11-20-2008, 05:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
bc219 Millepora Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mishawaka, IN Age: 31 Posts: 940 Skin: Mint Karma: 1347	I do what Luna is talking about when I do water changes. I either use the turkey baster or a power head and blow everything everywhere then siphon like crazy!

11-21-2008, 07:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
bc219 Millepora Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mishawaka, IN Age: 31 Posts: 940 Skin: Mint Karma: 1347	I've always read not to use those with saltwater, that you end up sucking up your pods and other beneficial stuff. Heck, if it's a good idea I should start using the one I had for my freshwater tanks...