Sand.... never clean.

[majorstare]

I have a 2yr old 2x2x2 cube with sump (approx. 220ltrs) and have never managed a clean sand bed, the sand (1 inch deep) if left un-touched, is brown within 48hrs.

Readings-
Kh 7.5
Calcium 430 mg
Magnesium 1300 mg
Salinity 33-35 ppt
Po4 0.025
Nitrate - Nil

Zeovit reactor, with the following dosing-
Zeofood3 - daily
ZeoBak, Zeofood7 and Amino acids - once a week
ZeoSnow - weekly

Deltec 1351 skimmer
ATU
1x MP10
2x Jaebo RW4
Hydra 52 @ 14000k, 7hrs with 2hr ramps.
Running carbon, swapped every two weeks.

CUC-
2x Nautilus snails
2x Halloween crabs
6x snails
6x hermit crabs

50ltr water change every 2 weeks
7x small fish fed flakes for 6 days and 1/2 cube of frozen 1x week

Interested to hear how people get such clean, white sand beds, as seen in so many members photos.

 

[mta_morrow]

sure wish I had the answer for you!

 

[twilliard]

brown within 48hrs
need to see what you have going on there, know anyone with a scope?

 

[Sm51498]

Clean your sand bed before you take a photo?

I have had very clean sand in the past but I didn't do anything special. just cleaned up the tank and did water changes. My current tank does not have a very clean sand bed but it is quite new.

 

[cloak]

What kind of water are you using?

 

[jeflen651]

If all of your parameters appear to be good with low phosphates and nitrates I would highly recommend Vibant. Check out the Vibrant threads. I have been using it now for about 2 weeks and my tank looks better than ever.

 

[majorstare]

Water is from highly regarded local fish shop, RO water is tested weekly and reads ZERO.
Salt is Instant Ocean

 

[majorstare]

If all of your parameters appear to be good with low phosphates and nitrates I would highly recommend Vibant. Check out the Vibrant threads. I have been using it now for about 2 weeks and my tank looks better than ever.

Will have a look.

 

[cloak]

Can you post a picture of your sand bed once it's become brown?

 

[majorstare]

 

[Paul87]

If all of your parameters appear to be good with low phosphates and nitrates I would highly recommend Vibant. Check out the Vibrant threads. I have been using it now for about 2 weeks and my tank looks better than ever.

+1 Cleared my sand bed right up.