Should i vacume my sand?

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Brandon8521
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Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Brandon8521 »

I recently made a trade on another forum for some established live sand. Since it contains bristleworms and such (the bristles are all that i have seen so far) should i vacume my sand dureing water changes, and if not how should i take care of it without killing everything that lives in it? Its only about 2 inches at most 2.5 in some places. I didnt rince it when i put it in and it ws rather dusty so its still settling in and im slowly getting all of the dust out ( my skimmer does a great job at that also.)
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by SammyDee »

I like how this guy cleans the sand in all the tanks....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Kjjmq6BDg
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Brandon8521
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Brandon8521 »

I have seen that video before but im not sure if sticking the vacume in the sand will kill the worms that are sapposed to be so benificial to the tank.
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Mek0ng
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Mek0ng »

Do half the tank at a time, that will ensure you are not sucking all the life out.
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Do not clean live sand like that. You could slightly stir the surface about 1" deep & skim with your siphon.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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jdak
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by jdak »

I have never vacuumed my sand. I do turn with turkey baster...
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Mek0ng
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Mek0ng »

Vacuuming a shallow (~1-2") sand bed is okay if you only do 1/2 or less at a time, the life will regrow. With a DSB never vacuum. (forgot to add that)
Brandon8521
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Re: Should i vacume my sand?

Post by Brandon8521 »

Ok so i think i will go the turkey baster rout and just hover the vacume slightly over the sand. As you can see its not that deep. Also im starting to get kinda a film on the top of the water partly because of micro bubbles and some of it kinda looks oily. So im thinking my next buy b4 a light will be some koralia knockoff circulation pumps. Thnx for the advice.
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