No More Barebottom!

[down and outman]

Just spent the evening after work adding 90# Carib Sea Sugar sand to my tank. I drained it down to 6", pulled out the rock, vacuumed it as well as I could, scrubbed the rock to get off the excess algae, and reloaded everything. I thought that would only cover and inch deep, but I am amazed - 2-3 inches deep! Water is still a little cloudy. Now I can get a cleanup crew and start rock and rolling with a reef.

Yes I'm gonna watch my parameters for a while until I know it's stable and I may do a massive water change if that's what it takes to clear it up. I've been battleing green water for a while and I've been about ready to throw in the towel, so hopefully this will help.

Bought some Astrae nails, but only one,a big one did anything. I acclimated them for 3 hours in my sump. The rest just sat there. I had to keep flipping them over, a daily ritual. I've read where they only like cooler temps and won't survive anything over 78 degrees. I'm about through with them.

Any help, encouragement or anything would be much appreciated.

[Mike O'Brien]

That should help a lot. The way you had detritus collecting before was likely the problem. Now you have a place to hide it, a rug to sweep it under if you will. But you'll have a lot more bacteria to work on the waste once its there. Just remember all that stuff you used to see and realize that its going into the sand now. So your going to want to grow some algae in the sump to help remove the phosphates that will be coming from the sand. It's going to help with your nitrates though.

[Mantis]

Easy Mike not every one likes their bottoms bare. But like you I like to keep my bottom bare so I can keep it extra clean:D

[Mike O'Brien]

What, you don't think people will like the rug analogy ? :)

[Mantis]

I agree with it but to each their own. I did have a dsb once and I know it worked but changing it out I think is more of a pain then it is worth and rather gross to see. Mike what test kit do you use for calcium?

[Mike O'Brien]

I use an Aquarium pharmaceuticals kit ATM. That's not something I test very often.

[down and outman]

I like what Mike said about sweeping it under the rug. My LFS gut said it takes twice as much flow for a barebottom than a sand bed. I like a sand bed anyway, looks more real and gives a place for critters and fish to make a home. Plus it helps maintain ph, calcium and control nitrates (hopefully). My tank is clearing up, but still has a green tinge to the water. Getting ready to order some snails and crabs to control algae and detrius.

[Europa]

If carbon doesn't eliminate the green tinge the water has, you could try a UV sterilizer.