Page 1 of 1
Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 11:44 pm
by *GSP*Fan*
I am in the process of getting a 60gallon tank set up as full marine, primarily for a GSP. I have already purchased my sand and have 60lbs of aragonite.
To clean, pillowcases work well right? And am I safe doing this in my bathtub? I don't have a hose or anything to clean it easily outdoors.
Once the tank is setup, sand and all in place, what do I do about cleaning it if anything? When vacuuming would I just focus on whats on top or stir up the sand bed before hand? I'm not sure its its best to just leave the sand alone or what exactly.
I'd like to try hermit crabs in the tank but have been trying to look into anything that would help with cleaning the sand as well, suggestions?
One more thing, rock first then sand, right?
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:10 am
by Pufferpunk
I would pour about 6" into a bucket fill, stir with your hand, dump, repeat until clear.
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:55 pm
by *GSP*Fan*
Pufferpunk wrote:I would pour about 6" into a bucket fill, stir with your hand, dump, repeat until clear.
I can manage that, so long as it won't cause any issues doing so in a bathtub. I've been needing to pick up some buckets.
What about cleaning the sand in the tank? Do I just worry about what is on top and not disturb the sand?
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:14 am
by bertie 83
Stir the sand weekly with a skewer, this will prevent gas pockets forming. If you hold your syphon whilst doing this you can suck up any released crud
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:02 pm
by *GSP*Fan*
bertie 83 wrote:Stir the sand weekly with a skewer, this will prevent gas pockets forming. If you hold your syphon whilst doing this you can suck up any released crud
Okay thank you.
I've read about the gas pockets but also didn't want to mess with anything beneficial that could be living in the sand.
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:53 am
by bertie 83
Any disturbed small critters in the sand wont hold a grudge against you lol.
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:29 pm
by *GSP*Fan*
bertie 83 wrote:Any disturbed small critters in the sand wont hold a grudge against you lol.
'
Lol. Thanks. I was just thinking I didn't want to take a chance of killing anything off that may be beneficial. But I've ordered a gravel vac/siphon so it should make the cleaning pretty simple.
Re: Questions relating to cleaning sand/substrate
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:14 am
by Pufferpunk
Keep the sand bed to 1" or less.
If it's still warm by you, you could also clean the sand outside.