bb and gsp's?

[rhidien]

I've had a nitrate problem, which I believe to be coming from my sand bed....so, thinking of buying some cutting board and pulling it possibly this weekend. In doing so, do you think leaving a few mounds of sand in the front and placing my gsp's on top will help keep the gsp's from grabbing a hold of the plastic and growing like crazy, or do you think it's just a waste of time and will leave me with unwanted sand just sitting there mocking me, while collecting detritus and the gsp's having their fun anyway? I like them, but they're already growing so quickly and decimating some zoos that share a rock with them.
Also, I like the look of the sand, besides it costs a lot and hate to just get rid of it, so at least then I'd still be using a little of it...which I wouldn't imagine would be that hard to keep clean, or that big of a sink hole if it wasn't as clean as possible.... or, anyone have other ideas?

 

[Krish]

How about a ssb? It gives you the look of a natural reef with the sand around it, but not very deep at all (like bb) I have maybe a 1/2 inch ssb in my tank and no problems. I just siphon the hell out of it weekly removing any waste/detritus from it. I've never heard of gsp's so not sure what they require, but if sand is one thing, then maybe you could go a little deeper in certain spots for them. Like I said, not sure what gsp's are, but I figured I'd lend my 2 cents. Best of luck...

 

[wrightme43]

I put my sand in the field next to my house. The cat seems to like it. I am much happier now. thats all I can really tell you. It looks cool, but then again so do healthy happy corals and anemone.

 

[Krish]

LOL Steve...Stop beating down sand...You know you like to play in it(LOL) Just think about those full blown reefs with dsb's... I'm going to tell MikeS on ya! Oh, but he's bb now:shock:

 

[rhidien]

well, I've liked the sand bed and like the look of it, but think it's time to try something different, as my hair algea is out of control and you can visibily see a good build up of detritus on the sand despite my attemps at keeping a higher flow rate and low stocking of fish... oh well... gsp =Green Star Polyups, if it gets a hold of a rock or plastic, it spreads pretty quickly across it.. when on the sand, it spreads too, but in a sheet across it that is easy to frag before it gets out of hand. My thinking then was to have a small area with a mound of sand in the front of the tank, that would be easy then siphon clean, or be small enough if I didn't do that great of job it wouldn't be a big deal, but keep the green stars from getting a hold of the "starboard" and taking over the tank. It's a 30" tall, so hard to reach, let alone scrape it off the bottom! If you all think though it's just gonna be a waste of time and the gsp's are gonna get a hold of it anyway, guess I'll have to decide weather to let them run free, or get rid of them.

 

[fishermann]

It has been my experience that gsp's won't grow nearly as fast in a BB as in a DSB, I doubt you well have any issues with them if you go BB all over, they love nutrients.

 

[sryder]

im with wrightme, burn the sand in the bbq pit.....lol

 

[Krish]

Bryan...Out of curiosity, how long has your tank been set up? Are you sure it is the sand bed that is the problem? I'd hate for you to take it all out and it not be the problem...That's all. Dsb, ssb, bb all can their problems as well as successes. I thought of going bb, but I personally like the look of sand and not bare glass. However, if coraline really takes off in my tank, I may venture that route. I'm a fan of whatever works for you wether it be bb, dsb, or ssb. Best of luck on getting those nitrates down to 0

 

[jesshimom]

You can't put a mound of sand in the front and expect it will stay a mound... with powerheads and all the flow it will be every where in no time.

 

[rhidien]

krish, it's just a little over a year old. while I was initially against it too, I'm understanding when looking at the detritus build up on my rocks and sand...which is now getting that lovely coat of pink slime, why so many are for bb.

Yeah, I guess that's true Colleen... guess I'll find a smaller rock to banish it with the xenia on the right island! Anyone who's interested will also need to keep an eye out in the livestock forum for xenia and gsp's as soon as I get to this...hopefully this weekend...

If it's not in real bad condition, I'll just keep it in a bucket and either give the sand away too, or if I change my mind, then use it.

Thanks all for your opinions
-Bryan

 

[Elmo18]

Another one goes to the bb.....

*sigh*

- Ilham

 

[rhidien]

Ilham, if you have any ideas to save it, I'd love to hear it... or if you're interested in the sand yourself, I'd be happy to share...though you may want to give it a good rinse first!
What ever happened with the bangaii babies? I'm still quite interested in a pair...well, once I get this nitrate problem under control, if you have any.