Whats the best way to clean the sand un my tank?

[Clownfish69]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium. Fish include: coral beauty, red chromis, yellow coris wrasse, yellowtail damsel and a volitin lionfish. I have a few hermit crabs and that's it. In some spots of the tank the sand is covered in a thick layer if algae. What's the best way to clean or soft the sand to make it a nice white color?

 

[Pepsi]

I "Hoover" my sand with every water change.

 

[Rmckoy]

I hover over the same , only in the places that I can reach .
It won't suck up the algae but it will stir it up .
I am looking into moving a power hear a little lower in the tank

 

[Clownfish69]

I hover over the same , only in the places that I can reach .
It won't suck up the algae but it will stir it up .
I am looking into moving a power hear a little lower in the tank

What's hovering? Sorry if i sound stupid, somewhat new.

 

[Pepsi]

You can buy a substrate cleaner. It just looks like a clear tube with erm...clear tubing basically... You use like a Hoover (vacuum cleaner for the non-Brits) it sucks up the algae and dumps your sand back down.

Here's a link:
Easy Clean Gravel Cleaner

It's not a magic wand, but I think it does a decent job.

 

[huma-huma]

increase flow, preferably with a wave or random flow effect. may want to consider rehoming the volitan. for a fish that gets 12"+ in length and prob 7"+ wide, its hard for them to live happily in a 12 inch wide tank.

 

[Clownfish69]

increase flow, preferably with a wave or random flow effect. may want to consider rehoming the volitan. for a fish that gets 12"+ in length and prob 7"+ wide, its hard for them to live happily in a 12 inch wide tank.

That's what I'm currently trying to do. I'd love to keep him he's a beautiful fish but every fish/pet store I call never gives me a valid answer or just says to call back later.

 

[Clownfish69]

increase flow, preferably with a wave or random flow effect. may want to consider rehoming the volitan. for a fish that gets 12"+ in length and prob 7"+ wide, its hard for them to live happily in a 12 inch wide tank.

I'm trying to get him a new home at the moment. Every pet store I call says to call back on another day. It's very frustrating. But thanks for the help!

 

[Clownfish69]

You can buy a substrate cleaner. It just looks like a clear tube with erm...clear tubing basically... You use like a Hoover (vacuum cleaner for the non-Brits) it sucks up the algae and dumps your sand back down.

Here's a link:
Easy Clean Gravel Cleaner

It's not a magic wand, but I think it does a decent job.

Thank you very much!

 

[huma-huma]

oh I completely understand. how big is he? volitans are a huge problem and that's prob why no LFS will take him.

 

[Clownfish69]

oh I completely understand. how big is he? volitans are a huge problem and that's prob why no LFS will take him.

He's close to 6 inches now. I got him when he was like 2 and a half never thought he'd grow so fast!

 

[melosu58]

I don't disturb the sand bed. I leave that to the clean up crew. Been that way for 15+ yrs now.

 

[Clownfish69]

I don't disturb the sand bed. I leave that to the clean up crew. Been that way for 15+ yrs now.

Oh's wow! I'm glad you told me that thank you.

 

[Pepsi]

I'm a newbie too. Good to know I shouldn't need to clean the sand. Might persuade the other half to pick up some cerith snails, I hear they clean the sand.

 

[huma-huma]

nesarrius snails burrow in the sand

 

[Pepsi]

What do they actually do when they're burrowing? I have three of these and barely ever see them...