Suggestions?

[Jacobk]

Hey Guys, new to reefing here and I was wondering if you guys have any tips or suggestions for my tank as far as flow, coral placement, etc. Also what I have realized that my sand bed granules have like a brown coating on them. I dont know if its algae or what but looking for ways to clean it and make it pearly white again. Thanks!

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I can't tell from the photos, but if it's algae, get a bunch of Nassarius snails to turn over the sandbed and maybe a Tuxedo Urchin to keep the surface clean. It could be other things though, some of which are bad and the snails and urchin could suffer (read: die) if they eat it. What are your nitrate and phosphate readings? Can you post a close-up of the sand bed in the affected area?

 

[Jacobk]

Nitrate is at 0.0 Im going to try and take out some media to see if it will go up a bit. My phosphate is a little bit on the higher side at .56ppm. Also bot a new pump aquajet pro to increase flow in the tank a little bit.

 

[Jacobk]

I can't tell from the photos, but if it's algae, get a bunch of Nassarius snails to turn over the sandbed and maybe a Tuxedo Urchin to keep the surface clean. It could be other things though, some of which are bad and the snails and urchin could suffer (read: die) if they eat it. What are your nitrate and phosphate readings? Can you post a close-up of the sand bed in the affected area?

What do you think about the sand? What's the best way to clean it?

 

[BryanM]

What do you think about the sand? What's the best way to clean it?

Take some video, post that to youtube, and link it here... Then we can assess flow.

Vacuuming sand is highly recommended to keep it clean.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

What do you think about the sand? What's the best way to clean it?

Vacuuming sand is highly recommended to keep it clean.

You can't go wrong with vacuuming it. I prefer not to as my only response (due to possibly disturbing the sub-surface life too much, plus it's more work), but until you have adequate CUC to turn over the sandbed, it certainly makes sense. In fact you may need to also rake the surface as you vacuum. (Be the CUC!) Some reefers do both zealously without any apparent ill effects. CUC is just more my style.

 

[Jacobk]

Take some video, post that to youtube, and link it here... Then we can assess flow.

Vacuuming sand is highly recommended to keep it clean.

Here is the video link:

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Looks like good flow overall. I can't tell how much he wave maker in the rear on the right is doing. If it is moving grains of sand right in front of it, then that should be plenty, imo. You don't want a sandstorm, though! Just a few unsettled grains.

 

[PharmrJohn]

You can't go wrong with vacuuming it. I prefer not to as my only response (due to possibly disturbing the sub-surface life too much, plus it's more work), but until you have adequate CUC to turn over the sandbed, it certainly makes sense. In fact you may need to also rake the surface as you vacuum. (Be the CUC!) Some reefers do both zealously without any apparent ill effects. CUC is just more my style.

This is what I did. Some vacuuming at the beginning until CUC took over the job. Just one less thing you have to do.

 

[Jacobk]

Looks like good flow overall. I can't tell how much he wave maker in the rear on the right is doing. If it is moving grains of sand right in front of it, then that should be plenty, imo. You don't want a sandstorm, though! Just a few unsettled grains.

I was just worried the fish were getting pushed around too much.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I was just worried the fish were getting pushed around too much.

Fish can handle reef currents. I wouldn't worry about it too much.