Substrate

[Tsweet2323]

I’ve had my tank for probably over a year now I’ve never went through and really vacuumed my substrate like I know I probably should but it’s gotten algae and a whole bunch of grime now so I want to start doing it regularly this time. I want to make sure it shouldn’t cause a spike in the water killing corrals or fish by disturbing the substrate that hasn’t really been bothered.

 

[TX_REEF]

don’t clean your entire substrate all at once if you haven’t touched it for months/years. I’d leave it alone and find other ways to solve the algae, but if you just clean it, do 10-20% at a time once a week with a water change after to reduce the risk of a bacterial bloom or other consequences of stirring up your sandbed.

 

[Tsweet2323]

don’t clean your entire substrate all at once if you haven’t touched it for months/years. I’d leave it alone and find other ways to solve the algae, but if you just clean it, do 10-20% at a time once a week with a water change after to reduce the risk of a bacterial bloom or other consequences of stirring up your sandbed.

Okay good to know thank you!

 

[Tsweet2323]

Is this the 15G tank that you started? How deep is the substrate? Better describe the substrate that you used and the present livestock in your tank.

Please post full tank shot with white light. Also post close up picture of your substrate showing the algae that you see.

I will make one comment from your other thread which I read. Lower light intensity is easier to control the development of your new ecosystem than intense lighting. When you master the craft and your ecosystem is more mature than you push it with more light. For now, I suggest you add biodiversity and janitors. Janitors are your clean up crew, which should include detrivores to consume organics in substrate. Biodiversity includes consumers & competitors of nuisance algae. It depends on your Reefing style. I have been addicted for 55 years and am a “Laissez Faire Reefer”. Get some help with diver collected uncured live rock.

https://gulfliverock.com/premium-deco-live-rock
https://gulfliverock.com/hitchhiker-id
“so I want to start doing it regularly this time. I want to make sure it shouldn’t cause a spike in the water killing corrals or fish by disturbing the substrate that hasn’t really been bothered”

Not sure how you do partial water changes or if you vacuum the surface of your substrate, but you NEED to. It is not necessary nor desirable to stir up muck, simple vacuum the surface with finesse.

Also, some chemistry parameters would be good to know: salinity, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings.

This is the 15 Gallon I started a while back ago since I have downgraded from the hydra 52 to a Ai prime 16 and run saxby light settings but tuned down, it’s aragonite substrate probably about 2 inches thick probably I have probably 10 snails I’m unsure the name of and 5 or so blue claw hermits with a watch man goby, orchid, and a clown and yes I want to start doing it regularly I say because I started from cichlids and just pure sand so I vacuumed the whole substrate the guy I got this tank from said not to really mess with the substrate and that you don’t want to cause spikes which I misunderstood I believe and like your saying I believe he was meaning to not dig it up like I would with the sand previously but instead I just haven’t touched the sand basically at all I do water changes once every other week because when I did them weekly I had issues with the water being too clean and not having any nutrients. still decently new to salt and got some gsp I’m trying to grow and zoas I won’t be back home until tomorrow but I will take pictures and attach them as well.

 

[Subsea]

Where in Florida are you located?

 

[TX_REEF]

Is this the 15G tank that you started? How deep is the substrate? Better describe the substrate that you used and the present livestock in your tank.

Please post full tank shot with white light. Also post close up picture of your substrate showing the algae that you see.

I will make one comment from your other thread which I read. Lower light intensity is easier to control the development of your new ecosystem than intense lighting. When you master the craft and your ecosystem is more mature than you push it with more light. For now, I suggest you add biodiversity and janitors. Janitors are your clean up crew, which should include detrivores to consume organics in substrate. Biodiversity includes consumers & competitors of nuisance algae. It depends on your Reefing style. I have been addicted for 55 years and am a “Laissez Faire Reefer”. Get some help with diver collected uncured live rock.

https://gulfliverock.com/premium-deco-live-rock
https://gulfliverock.com/hitchhiker-id
“so I want to start doing it regularly this time. I want to make sure it shouldn’t cause a spike in the water killing corrals or fish by disturbing the substrate that hasn’t really been bothered”

Not sure how you do partial water changes or if you vacuum the surface of your substrate, but you NEED to. It is not necessary nor desirable to stir up muck, simple vacuum the surface with finesse.

Also, some chemistry parameters would be good to know: salinity, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings.

This is excellent advice

 

[Tsweet2323]

Where in Florida are you located?

I am located in the Tampa area kind of Tampa's about 30 minutes away from me.

 

[Subsea]

I am located in the Tampa area kind of Tampa's about 30 minutes away from me.

Have you considered collecting critters in estuaries & salt water marshes. Grass shrimp / Ghost shrimp should be prevalent in your area.