cleaning sand bed

Discussion in 'Sand' started by DSC reef, Sep 3, 2014.

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  1. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Ok fellow reefers, I need some advice here. I'm at the point where I'm about done with having a sandbed altogether especially after going to my favorite fish store world wide corals. I love the look of montipora covering the bottom glass but I digress. Every week I do a 20 gallon water change on my 75 gallon reef tank with coral pro salt and dose calcium and alk frequently to keep up with my corals uptake. I sift my shallow sand bed during the change and let my filter grab most before I change the water. It's getting old to say the least. My pet peve is I hate my sand bed getting a brown covering halfway through the week and by sunday I start the same routine. I got the idea from WWC to sift the sand bed. Is it unrealistic to have a sand bed that doesn't have brown on top of it in some areas? To me it makes a tank look dirty. I've seen some awesome tanks In my years that were beyond healthy but when I saw the sand bed it ruined it for me. I know I'm very adhd with my husbandry and maybe I'm being unrealistic about my idea of how I want my tank. I won my fight with cyano and the tank is running strong for a year now with the rock and sand in it being from my other tank years ago. I have a habit of upgrading. Thanks for any help and ideas, you guys and gals rock.
     
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  3. proreefer

    proreefer Feather Star

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    how long is your lights on I had a problem with it I was running my lights 10 hours a day I cut it back to 7 full and 1 blue the brown went away the coral are ok with it
     
  4. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I've tried cycling my schedule of lighting but within 5 hours I notice patches popping up. I can't add anymore flow but I'm starting to realize that going with no sandbed might be a better option
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    What are you CUC remembers?
     
  6. dienerman

    dienerman Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Try one or two conchs. I have one in my 60 cube and he seems to turn over the sand bed enough that it stays clean. Nice member of my clean up crew. That being said, I may go BB on my next build.
     
  7. Bucsfan

    Bucsfan Flamingo Tongue

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    What is a CUC?
     
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  9. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    Clean up crew (snails, crabs, ect.)
     
  10. Bucsfan

    Bucsfan Flamingo Tongue

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    Got it. Thanks.
     
  11. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I have two turbo snails and 2 astrea snails and 3 blue hermits.
     
  12. SaltyClown

    SaltyClown Sea Dragon

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2011
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    I have a 75 gal reef too. Here's what I do every week.

    4 gallon water change using reef crystals.

    And here's what most people don't like, every week I siphon the entire sand bed. Looks bright white every week all week and my fish and coals are doing great.

    I know you're getting tired of your sand, but maybe you should try siphoning your sand.