Blowing sand

I just started a new tank and I have really light sand apparently. I have a sump pump that pumps about 500 gph in my sump and I added a venturi type accelerator to the inlet in the tank to increase circulation. My tank is brand new and in the cycling phase but my live rock is constantly getting sand blown on it no matter where I position the water intake.

Any suggestions other than the obvious of taking the venturi off? its a 60 gallon tank and will in the future want some nice corals etc so im not sure what to do? any help would be much appreciated.

 

spye

once the sand has been in a while, bacterial activity on it will hold the grains together better
but in the mean time, make sure your power head is not pointed at it directly
as that will just make a continual mess while your waiting for it to settle

Steve

 

I had the same problem at first with 2 mp40's i installed on a 200 gallon tank. i raised them a bit higher and i dont have the problem. the fella who just responded makes an interesting point about the sand clinging better after the bacteria holds and this might help but once you vacuum and stir it up you'd think you might be in the same boat. you need to redirect your inflow more across the top of your tank then downwards, play with it, you'll get it right

 

I think its just too much velocity for a 4 foot 60 gallon tank. My pump supposedly pump 500 gph with a 400% increase nozzle on it so that on inlet is pushing 2000gph through it. I have it pointed at the very top and it is creating a sand storm on the entire other end of the tank. Im going to take of the venturi, thats all I can think to do.