Vacuuming - Part Deux

[Leah]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm not sure I can reply to that within the bounds of good taste

No idea what you mean by this, however. I am actually doing the dirty thing right now.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Leah

I am actually doing the dirty thing right now.

Without pics, didn't happen.

[Aquattro]

Ok, back on track. What was I talking about? Oh ya. Sand. Wayne uses an Eheim vacuum, apparently works well. Since I can't remove sand, I may try this.
I'll leave a bed of sugar sand in the back for the wrasse, but so far really happy with the special grade. It's still where I left it last night.

[Trevor W]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

...but so far really happy with the special grade. It's still where I left it last night.

I also really liked the special grade sand, no sand storms just some random spots that would "dune" but not enough to make it bare in spots. Sand bed was only 1.5-2".

On another note, not sure if it was mentioned here or not but I have also heard of people taking a plastic fork and attaching it to the end of a syphon and raking the sand to lift the detritus which then gets sucked up by the syphon. I have personally never done this but in theory it sounds like a good solution.

[Reefer Rob]

When I had a shallow sand bed I used a gravel vacuum when I did water changes. They don't seem to make the one I have anymore. To start the syphon you just pump it up and down in the tank. It's nice and long which gives the sand plenty of time to separate from the crud.

[Magickiwi]

Will 1" of sand bed support a sifting star and nassarius snails? What would be a feasible method of "washing" the sand free of nitrate and phosphate?

Would replacing it with a coarse crushed coral be more beneficial and would that support the livestock?

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

Will 1" of sand bed support a sifting star and nassarius snails? ...

Magickiwi, short answer is no.
Longer answer is some reading here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rs/index.php