disturbing the sand bed

[probe dms]

i read something once about not stirring up the sand bed. what are the effects of doing so. is it a bad thing to do?

 

[Deanos]

How deep and how old is the sandbed?

 

[probe dms]

it's different in certain areas. my tank is about 5 months old. live sand. some areas it's about 1 inch others are like 2-3 inches.

 

[Deanos]

Stirring a sand bed

 

[probe dms]

kool. dont stir it. its bad. got it. ok so heres another question. i may be taking down a smaller 12 gallon thats been running about 7 months. can i take the sand and rock from that and add it to my tank without causing a catastrophe?

 

[Deanos]

The rock should be cured, so that shouldn't pose a problem. Why move the sand over as well?

 

[probe dms]

i think i want to stop the little tank and just work on the 29 gallon.

 

[rookie07]

I stir my sand bed once a month or so...NOT a lot, just alittle around the glass
When i do this, all the filter feeders seem to have a field day....and it cleans the glass that has built up algea/etc....
I thought it was good to mix up the sand bed alittle, and get all the junk out of there.
My sand bed is generally 3-4" deep.

 

[Deanos]

I thought it was good to mix up the sand bed alittle, and get all the junk out of there.
My sand bed is generally 3-4" deep.

Maybe he didn't read about shallow sand beds

 

[prattreef]

If your system is designed to utilize the sandbed for nitrate reduction it is a bad idea to stir it. If it is purely for aesthetics then it is a good idea to stir it. BUT, if you have not stirred it for a long time, it i best to leave it alone.

 

[rookie07]

AHHH...got it....thanks...I saw several different links from deanos link...sorry I didnt read carefully

 

[MikeyZO]

Which link from Deanos' link were we looking at?

 

[probe dms]

i was looking at the first one
http://everything2.com/e2node/deep%20sand%20bed