Clean the sand bed? - Fish is stirring it up

S

SeaDude

[I added a large ornate wrasse to my tank lately and it's been really stirring up the sand which is clouding the tank and sending my water parameters off. I've noticed that the phosphates for one are higher than ever before (0.5) . For a while there, ammonia was reading at .25 instead of it's usual 0.

On another thread, I noticed that Marc said a sand bed would be good for about 5 years. I assume that's because of the nutrients and gunk that builts up and is eventually released.

Is it OK to clean the sand by siphoning it with a gravel vacuum? Is that a good idea?]
 
[NO! don't stir the sand bed if it is over 2" deep...you will release nitrates and other stuff in your sand...actually, you should NEVER stir or sipon your sand.

wrasses are known for moving rocks and such...sand is no different...

'corse..thats what I've learned listening to people on here....

right guys?]
 
[Cleaning a sand bed is yet another endlessly debatable subject. Some say yes. Some say no. some say only the top 1" is safe to clean. If you have a true DSB (4"-6") then I would go with how the creator of this concept suggests and not have it disturbed at all.
On another thread said:
Your assumption is correct. The 5 year period though is not a precise measurement of a sand bed's life span. 5 years seems to be a nice average. Some people report problems that they attribute to their sand bed as early as 8 months while others have 10 year old beds and say all is fine. A great deal of variences can be the reason for this. They include but are certainly not limited to depth of sand bed, bio-load, husbandry skills, amount of live rock, and feeding regimen.
Also, you have to remember that to an untrained eye a reef make look fine but is really is not.]
Click to expand...
 
[You can add creatures that will stir the upper layer of your DSB. Fighting Conchs, Tiger Tail Cucumbers, hermits and more all help keep the sand stirred slightly and eat detritus.

It is important to avoid disturbing a DSB if possible.]
 
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