deep sand beds

[Juanfer]

hi, I have a deep sand bed in my tank and so far it looks great, but I'm a little confused about the things that you need to do for keeping the sand in proper conditions, so I'm hoping that any of you guys could help me!!!!

thanks, JF

 

[gman0526]

Good all around flow, try not disturbing it as much as you can. Don't add any critters that could deplete the microfauna that lives in the SB (gobies, mandarins, etc).

 

[ecobalance]

enjoy

Idont agree with the lastt answer about not haveing gobies.They are great for deep sand beds.They stir the top layer of the sand ,they keep dead spots att bay ,they prevent anoxic areas from forming and there cool.to answer your questtion general maint.for a deep sand bed is to occaionaly stir about a quater of it before a water change[with a stick or something]this will break up any clumps,and kick up detritus for syphaning.once a year or so replace 1 forth of the sand since it looses its buffering ability over time and mostt of all enjoy,and dont let parinoia ruin your experance.

 

[Juanfer]

I was thinking on trying again with a mandarin, but I want to make a refugium(but the petstores dont sell algae). what other thing could I use in a refugium?????

 

[morgan]

a goby would not help with anoxic zones as they are at the bottom the best way to setup a deep sand bed is with the jabuert makes alot of sense to me and have also read that 5 inches is a good depth to get the dentirafacation effect also i think deeper then 5 inches and u can start to get anoxic zones if i rember what i have read correctly
sea cucmber are good for sand beds

 

[shallowreef]

I agree on the sea cucumber. Also depending on the size of the tank i would get one or two sand sifting starfish. I have two large ones in my tank (210)and they do a fine job i use to have three but i don't think there was enough food for all of them to eat since on of them died. So if you do get a sand sifter i would get teh smallest one and just get one to start with so you don't lose your money.

 

[gman0526]

More important than a goby sifting sand is the microfauna that lives within the SB and unfortunetely a goby will deplete a SB, just like sand sifting starfish. And if you have proper water flow you don't need the goby to begin with