Dirty Sand?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011.

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  1. KillerChimp3600

    KillerChimp3600 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2010
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    Location:
    Lake in the Hills, IL
    Hey so my tank is just over a month old, I have had 4 dwarf hermits and 3 cerith snails in the tank for about two weeks now and I also just added 2 astraea conehead snails and 3 nassarius snails two days ago. The sand bed still seems pretty dirty, like they don't do anything with it. Any suggestions on what would be good to help clean up the sand?

    Its a 20L

    Thanks.
     
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    #1

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  2. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    time....its a young tank and ur probably going thru diatom and algae blooms....just have patience...and keep up with ur water changes :) make sure that tank is cycled for sure before adding fish
     
    Kevin3884, Jan 27, 2011
    Kevin3884, Jan 27, 2011
    #2
  3. KillerChimp3600

    KillerChimp3600 Plankton

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Lake in the Hills, IL
    hmm yeah I already went through the diatom bloom, havn't seen any for about a week now. Also the tank is cycled, I bought a lot of cured live rock so it went pretty quick. Would a sand sifting star get too big for my tank? You are probably right though it more than likley just needs time lol ;D
     
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    #3
  4. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    a sand sifting star would be murder in your tank....they are not a species of star that should be kept in home aquaria...they will kill ur sand bed and then die
     
    Kevin3884, Jan 27, 2011
    Kevin3884, Jan 27, 2011
    #4
  5. KillerChimp3600

    KillerChimp3600 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2010
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    Location:
    Lake in the Hills, IL
    O man I guess I have been reading things wrong haha good to know lol thanks!
     
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    KillerChimp3600, Jan 27, 2011
    #5
  6. yeti

    yeti Astrea Snail

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Have you added anything new to your tank.. Like equipment, plastic? I have read this will cause a diatom bloom. Either way I started 3 months ago and have seen lots of weird algea blooms. Give it time like Kevin stated. My sand is gross right now but a couple days ago spotless. I've noticed that pods reproduce more in my tank when it gets everywhere as well so I think it will just work itself out.
     
    yeti, Jan 28, 2011
    yeti, Jan 28, 2011
    #6

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  7. Los1980

    Los1980 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2011
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    Location:
    Elizabeth, NJ
    I noticed that my diatom bloom started to die down when i cut back some light hours. It's been running for 3 going on 4 weeks water is beautiful levels are perfect so two clowns and a few snails have enjoyed the tank this week! Even my skimmer cup is clean just a few food particles and poop! I was told the same thing by my LFS just give it time and don't leave the lights on more then 8-10 hours and the diatom will die down.
     
    Los1980, Jan 28, 2011
    Los1980, Jan 28, 2011
    #7
  8. jdameli1

    jdameli1 Torch Coral

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    You probably just have to wait it out, more then likely it is still diatoms. I had an outbreak every time I added anything new and plastic to the tank,they come and go
     
    jdameli1, Jan 30, 2011
    jdameli1, Jan 30, 2011
    #8