LSB Maintenance

[Mishikal]

Got another question :eek2:

What maintenance should be done on a 1"-2" live sand bed?

I heard before that there is something you can buy to kind of seed your sand bed every once in a while with live organisms. Is there anything I should ever do to the sandbed or just leave it be?

Thanks again.

 

[Angelscrx]

You can probably buy a refugium kit for it? It has plenty of critters but it may come with macro algaes. Some people buy dead sand in large quantities and then buy a small amount of live sand to seed the other.

 

[wrightme43]

You can also find another reefer near to you with a good sand bed and swap some sand back and forth. That lets you get his or her critters who have dominated in thier tank and they get some that have dominated in yours. It takes a long time for critters to move thru the sand bed and reach a equilibrium. In my opinion it is best to take three or four small butter tubs (washed of course) and put the replacement sand in the places you removed. This gives you a better shot of seeding your bed with new critters. I like sand beds and others don't. It seems to me I have seen wonderful tanks with and without sandbeds. Another thing that works is Aragalive live sand. I like it alot. Hope that helps you. Steve

 

[NaH2O]

Mishikal - Welcome to the board, if I missed ya before. IMO, with a sandbed it is important to stir it up occasionally to free up detritus that is sitting there. Get it out before it starts to rot. Seeding with some sand of another reefer is a good idea - this will introduce some critters. There are detrivore packages available online. I know Inland Aquatics has detrivores for sale, and IPSF, I believe, also sells them. These critters are important for the sandbed, as they help to process the waste into smaller forms. Here is a thread on Aquarium Husbandry - I hope it provides some good information for you:

Let's Talk About ~Aquarium Husbandry~

 

[Craig Manoukian]

My favorite "critters" Nikki is referring to for overall tank maintenance are Nassaurius snails (sand), Cerith snails (glass near the sand bed), Margarita snails (glass and rock), Scarlet Hermits (algea and detritous), Conch (detritous), and Red Skunk Cleaner shrimp (left over food).

With good LR you will get the full complement of polycheates (worms including bristleworms) who do there work out of sight and deep in the sand bed.

 

[Elmo18]

Margarita snails are temperate species, and will eventually die in reef tanks around 80-82 degrees. They are usually found off the coast of California and Baja.

Not very great snails, ime. I ordered some and none have made it.

- Elmo

 

[NaH2O]

Thanks, Craig - I was also refering to pods, bristleworms, miniature brittle stars, etc.

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Elmo,

Maybe its the weather up north? JK

So far I have had great success with them in my tank for over two years and my tank runs at 80 degrees on the button. Lucky, eh?