Gravel syphon sand?

[kken6217]

I have Tampa Bay Saltwater sand in my reef tank. Set up about 6 weeks ago. Should you gravel syphon sand?

 

[Dan_P]

I have Tampa Bay Saltwater sand in my reef tank. Set up about 6 weeks ago. Should you gravel syphon sand?

Is there a specific concern you want to address or just wonderin’?

This is personal choice and depends on what you believe is best for your aquarium. As far as I know, there is very little science to support or discourage either approach.

 

[kken6217]

Just curiosity. I was wondering if:
A) Detritus would build up.
B) Would I be syphoning out anything beneficial if I did do this.

 

[ReeferHD]

im a strong believer in sand vacuuming, i do it once a week and noticed my nitrates and phosphates stay low in the desired range. people have success without doing it but IMO it will benefit the tank long term.

 

[kken6217]

im a strong believer in sand vacuuming, i do it once a week and noticed my nitrates and phosphates stay low in the desired range. people have success without doing it but IMO it will benefit the tank long term.

That’s my opinion as well, but I thought I read somewhere I read the Tampa Bay Saltwater recommends against it.

 

[ReeferHD]

That’s my opinion as well, but I thought I read somewhere I read the Tampa Bay Saltwater recommends against it.

some people say it will suck out some microfauna but your liverock holds the majority of it, my tank has only benefitted from vacuuming.

 

[kken6217]

That’s always been my thinking as well. Actually, I just got back into the hobby after about 10 years. Last two tanks were bare bottom. Definitely has benefits, but aesthetics isn’t one of them.

 

[Uncle99]

Yes to A, yes to B.
But a very light vac for 25% is fine.
But give time for recovery.

There will come a time where your sand will stay clean on its own.

I have not vacumed in years, the micro stuff does that.

 

[Dan_P]

Just curiosity. I was wondering if:
A) Detritus would build up.
B) Would I be syphoning out anything beneficial if I did do this.

Yes to both A) and B), making it a personal decision to potentially disturb or undo the good part of live sand to remedy the perceived ill of detritus.

My personal belief is that the vacuuming or not vacuuming decision is of no major importance,

 

[kken6217]

I guess if I ever get the urge, I could stir the sand and what ever crap comes up in the water column, I can let the syphon get that free floating.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

In general, we encourage vacuuming or stirring live sand weekly or monthly to move detritus around and aerated the sand. If sand is too deep (over 5-6") and not moved about then dead zones can occur. Most tanks have only 1-2" sand, so hermits and other critters do a good job moving it about.