Sand, to stir or not to stir?
- Thread starter apet66
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes I've read that too.
I would try to direct the power head higher so it isn't blowing the sand away.
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
Blowing a spot in the sand is one thing. Stirring up the entire sandbed is another. It is said not to stir up the sandbed to avoid releasing pent up gases and other nasty things as it will cause a deadly spike in levels, but also release and cause the possible death of the bacteria and other organisms within the sandbed that help keep levels in check. This is of even more importance the older the tank gets. With this being said, if flow and overfeeding occurs within a tank and continues without being addressed, this is what would end up causing what is known as "old tank syndrome" (atleast my take on it). With years and years of buildup between the rocks, accidental disturbance of one of these piles can cause system failure in an extremely short amount of time, even hours after it happening.
It is just hard for some to understand that stirring thigns up can be an issue. Those who are either new to the hobby or are acustomed to freshwater tanks with colored gravel would struggle with this, as it is common practice to do so during weekly water changes.
Summary: Do not stir your sandbed. Is there poop and old food piling up in the corners of your tank? You should siphon that out with some airline tubing, leaving your sandbed untouched.
It is just hard for some to understand that stirring thigns up can be an issue. Those who are either new to the hobby or are acustomed to freshwater tanks with colored gravel would struggle with this, as it is common practice to do so during weekly water changes.
Summary: Do not stir your sandbed. Is there poop and old food piling up in the corners of your tank? You should siphon that out with some airline tubing, leaving your sandbed untouched.
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
Well I wouldn't say that it is expert level, but it is how I see things happening. But we warn others about these things on a small level, so with years of buildup it only makes sense to envision the dangers as an explaination for the "mysteries" of events like old tank syndrome. Proper maintenance and attention will assist you in the long run.
Fishy monkey
Aquarium Advice Activist
Just curious here, when I do w/c in my 60 litre it always sends my sand in all directions, the tanks cycling at the moment but after reading this in concerned about how to ensure that doesn't happen when adding water. I won't have room to put a plate on the sand with the decor in. Is it just a case of adding water REALLY slowly?
When I do pwc I change out 5gal in a 35gal tank. I trickle the water back in from a container with a spigot over about a 45 min time frame. So in short, yes add the water back in slowly.
I periodically siphon one section of my sand bed (usually every other water change). I don't do much though, I just plunge the siphon in to my sand once and clean that part very thoroughly to not allow any of the bad stuff into the system. Over a year's time you should be able to cover the whole sand bed and start all over lol.
Fishy monkey
Aquarium Advice Activist
Ok thanks for that 
my sand always gets stirred
between my clown , engineer goby , conch
my sand bed looks nice and clean cause they always sift through it
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
Sifting and stirring are still different. Creatures motoring through it and using siphon to clean the sandbed are still different.
