An observation about sand and fine sand

[Tn23]

just tell everyone...... what Albert means is GO BARE BOTTOM!!!

[lastlight]

If it weren't for my wrasse I would (and had!).

[Masonjames]

I heard the leading ingredient in vaPOOrize is sand and/or fine sand. It makes the poo just magically disappear.

But shhhh. This powerful piece of knowledge is only aware to those in the aquaria trade.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by lastlight

If it weren't for my wrasse I would (and had!).

My Flasher Wrasse sleeps at the base of the rocks. He builds himself a cocoon.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Myka

My Flasher Wrasse sleeps at the base of the rocks. He builds himself a cocoon.

no such luck with leopards or melanurus tho. i tried making it work and couldn't bear to watch for more than a day.

[hfp75]

Originally Posted by lastlight

no such luck with leopards or melanurus tho. i tried making it work and couldn't bear to watch for more than a day.

My leopard and melanurus are doing fine the melanurus is definitely in charge.... The first day was brutal.... The poor leopard was definitely the looser of a few strikes..... The leopard will stay out of the way of the melanurus now... My tank is a 90g with a lot of rock...

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by hfp75

My leopard and melanurus are doing fine the melanurus is definitely in charge.... The first day was brutal.... The poor leopard was definitely the looser of a few strikes..... The leopard will stay out of the way of the melanurus now... My tank is a 90g with a lot of rock...

I'm referring to the fact that these fish became incredibly stressed trying to bury themselves under sand that wasn't there. Besides the fact that I much prefer the look of sand, I needed it for my fish.

[sumpfinfishe]

I also wanted to mention Albert that I know there are benefits to going/starting BB, and there are many beautiful BB tanks in this hobby, so it simply boils down to personal preference. I do believe however that most algae problems can be avoided, whether it be closer monitoring, consistent water changes, getting overwhelmed with fancy chemicals or relying on too many technical products to list a few.
Taking two steps backward to figure out why something is wrong is better than taking one step forward in the wrong direction.

[Reef Pilot]

Sorry if it has been said already, but easiest way to keep your sand clean is with an orange spot sleeper goby. They are tireless workers, (and interesting to watch, too) and their constant sand sifting ensures that any detritus is taken away by the water column and out through your overflows.

I lost mine a few months ago (they will find the smallest hole in your tank top) and tried going without for now (I wanted to try some bottom LPS corals). So I got a tiger tail cuc instead. However, he spends most of his time in the rocks and has failed to keep the algae from starting up on my sand. I am planning to get another goby, as I have had about enough of this algae.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by lastlight

no such luck with leopards or melanurus tho. i tried making it work and couldn't bear to watch for more than a day.

I had a Grey Head Wrasse (very similar to Melanurus) in my 90 with bare bottom. He slept at the base of the rocks too - he was in there for 2 years or so. I don't know what's so hard to watch?