Sand Storm

[BCHLOVER]

:?: About 7 months ago I added SouthDown sand on top of my crushed coral and then seeded the SouthDown sand w/3 lbs of live sand. I did not realize it at the time but I was told that the crushed coral will move its way to the top of the sand. When this happens I will slowly over time remove as much crushed coral as possible leaving mostly sand. My problem is that the sand is so light that the slightest movement by my gobies or even worse my pistol shrimp that sand goes all over everything. What can I do if anything to prevent this. It makes the tank look sloppy.

Thanks in advance.

[HoopsGuru]

Unknowingly, you got yourself in a position that I don't think will be easy to fix. Hopefully, some of the finest particles in your sandbed will work there way farther to the bottom. The only thing to help that I can think of would be to be as gentle as you can (duh, right! :D ) and if you can run some fine filter floss while doing so....this may trap some of it for removal and polish the water.

[BCHLOVER]

Hey Hoopsguru,

Should just let the sand sit for now and wait till the sand settles on the bottom? Or should I try scooping the crushed coral out now a little at a time now? Can you recommend a heavier sand to put on top of the southdown once I compete this process.

Does the fine filter floss get put where my filter pads are?

[HoopsGuru]

When using any type of aragonite sand, you will unfortunately have the finest grains that do stir up when disturbed in your tank. If I were you, I would wait until fairly large amounts of the CC surface so that you are disturbing the sandbed at little as possible. The finer sediments do get coated in bacteria and get much heavier on the surface, but since you are constantly having to disturb the bed to remove the CC, you are also releasing the lighter grains below the surface (as are your livestock!). I think the only thing you can really do is wait, and deal with the situation as best you can.....add fine filter floss to your media compartment (where you put your pads, etc) to try and help remove some of the particles. I had a juvenile jawfish that made a snowy wonderland out of my tank so I know what you are dealing with.....the only answer I had was to get rid of him. The only other thing I can think of would be to take some more Southdown and rinse it for quite some time to remove as much of the fine particles as possible and layer this over the top....I still don't see this as a permanent solution....most likely you will just have to wait until your sandbed ages a bit more and the particles get weighted down.

HTH, Try your best not to let it drive you nuts. :wink:

[BCHLOVER]

Hey guru,

Thanks again. I guess it is back to the waiting game again. I will just wait till most of the cc is on the top and then remove it slowly.

I will also replace my filter cartridges with a fine filter floss.

Oh one my questions - When the sands gets on my mushrooms, polyps and some of the bottom pieces of rock should I just leave it alone? :?:

Bobbi Ann

[HoopsGuru]

I would use a turkey baster to keep them clean.

I wish there was an easy fix for you, but I don't think anything short of a complete substrate change to get it over with in one shot would do any good. And with the presence of sand sifting livestock, the problem wouldn't really be solved either.

Perhaps viewing the tank with a beer, glass of wine, or some shots (or all three!) will give you the longer temper and patience I lacked at times. :wink:

[BCHLOVER]

Hey Guru,

Thanks for the alcohol tip. I have done the beer thing many of nights and it is pretty cool not only does it solve the tank problems - but any problems I might be having that night. :P (ha)

Thanks

Bobbi Ann

[carol]

you drink to remember and not to forget!!

I too can recall the better days!

[HoopsGuru]

http://www.oscars-r-us.com/images/smiles/new_all_coholic.gifWaddaya mean the tank isth cloudy?!

[volitan]

Whats a Fish tank? :D :D :roll: