Who vacuums sandbed, and why?

[whyzee429]

I used to do it all the time when I kept cichlids but I've only done it to
My fowlr tank once and I got some extremely dirty/murky water out of it. My SB is only about 1-2 inches deep. Is it a good idea or should I just leave it up to nature? The vacuum is fairly weak so I'm not really pulling any sand or tank habitants out, just "dirt".

 

[gfox]

When i had my 225 FOWLR going i needed to vacuum when i did water changes.I used a Python on it,i had reef sand in there.Never could keep a clean up crew in there with Triggers and puffers.i think if you leave it up to nature to take care of it you will end up with high Nitrates

 

[slice]

Proper flow will help with detritus building up on your SB by keeping it suspended until your filtration (be it a skimmer, power filter, sump or whatever) can take it out of the tank.
While I had koralias, I had to vacuum my SB with every water change. Now, with MP10s, not so much...BUT I get a lot of detritus in my skimmer cup now.

 

[caribbeanguy]

I think it is just a good practice to do it in the hobby, regardless of having a CUC or not.

 

[nixer]

if your using large grain sand you will have to.
i had to with reef floor special grade. i never had any problem in any tank other than the one with that sand in it either

 

[whyzee429]

I have three koralias pushing something like 2500gph, plus the returns from my filter and skimmer. I may have to slightly adjust flow patterns for a more complete turnover. I read, a while back, that some person didn't vacuum sand (mine is fine grain) because they didn't want to disturb potentially beneficial anaerobic pockets. Any thoughts to that? I don't want to go and vacuum tonight and see a gas bubble pull out of the substrate!:squigglemouth:

 

[skinz78]

I vacuum my sand because I think it helps keep the nitrates down and plus it stir's the sand up some, I only vacuum the top layer.