Siphoning sand bed... good or bad?

[AZDesertRat]

2-2.5" is a tricky level, not deep enough to be a fully functioning DSB but too deep for a decorative sand bed and can lead to big issues.

I would reduce it to 1" or less and siphon and stir all you want or increase it to 5-6" and don't touch it or run the risk of exposing anaerobic and anoxic bacterias. DSB's are best left undisturbed and in low bioload systems where the bacteria can keep up. At 2+/-" you will have some bacteria but probably not enough to keep up with processing the waste and soon end up with a plugged mess full of detritus.

 

[sredzins]

What if I just siphon it to keep it clean and don't allow the detritus to build up

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[DSP]

Sand traps so much detritus even in high flow tanks,So i would def keep it siphoned when you do waterchanges.Otherwise one day if you move stuff around and kick up sand so much waste is gunna be released into the water column and cause problems.

 

[sredzins]

I meant with the amount of sand I have. I clean it every water change. With 2-2.5 inches cleaning it every water changes, Am I still likely to have problems

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[Trex]

All 3 of my tanks have (( on average )) 2 inch sandbeds (( looks, goby/shrimp pair and for sandbed dwelling anemones )), with some local areas deeper because of the pistol shrimp.

With each weekly water change I graval vac the sandbeds, been doing it this way for 20 years (( hold over from my fresh water days )), and have yet to have an issue. Still have plenty of little critters on/in the sandbed.

 

[DSP]

Nope you shouldnt have any problems at all if ya keep siphoning during your weekly waterchanges.Agreed with trex,You will still have tons of critters in the sandbed after siphoning to.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Tigertails are cool but if you have to move it make sure to put it in a container by itself. I had a 12" one one I was in a hurry the get the tank done to move 30 minutes away in the snow that I put it with my fish and corals. By the time I got to the new place it had killed all my fish. My corals never made it either. Never had a problem with it any other time.

 

[Flameback Pair]

Tigertails are cool but if you have to move it make sure to put it in a container by itself. I had a 12" one one I was in a hurry the get the tank done to move 30 minutes away in the snow that I put it with my fish and corals. By the time I got to the new place it had killed all my fish. My corals never made it either. Never had a problem with it any other time.

Tiger tails and the other members of their genera are harmless when P.O.ed or die. It's the genus that the sea apples are in that are super toxic.

 

[mainzerin72]

4" sand bed

I stir it once a month

Still somewhat new to reefing! What do you mean with steering? Your not releasing gas from the sand bed?