water changes

[ZAX]

Watched a video on net about how to clean a saltwater aquarium and he vacuumed the sand while taking out water. I thought this was incorrect but I am a newbi so any advice? I have to wait for my tank to cycle first but just getting info. 

 

[ricklalonde]

Sand bottom tanks have many types of bacteria that play an important role in your reef and disrupting them can cause havoc. A surface level clean up crew will handle the majority of the sediment aquired above the sand. However, I will occasionally siphon out the debris that collects the corners of my tank (on-top of the sand not in the sand bed).

This is the way I do it and it seem to work for me

 

[lewis844]

ya you do not want to vacume up your sand you could stirr up a lot of problems haha

 

[TORX]

As far as I know about sand, you DO NOT want to stir it up. If you do, it could release anaerobic bacteria that has built up in pockets and create toxic gasses like methane and high levels of CO2. If you do want to stir up the substrate, bi-weekly stirring of the sand would release any gases before they reach toxic levels. To do this fingers are best but you could use any safe thin implement. Use caution around plant roots when stirring the sand.

 

[ZAX]

good to know, thanks   

 

[Blob-79]

Use caution around plant roots when stirring the sand.

what plants you grow in ur saltwater tank torx?

 

[TORX]

No plants, just corals. But thought I would throw in that tidbit of information. The plant root part is only really for fresh water, but you all knew that. I don't know of any salt water plants that someone would grow in a tank. Thanks LoL 

 

[ZAX]

I just came from the pet store in Chatham and they had plants in there. I asked the lady but she didn't know what they were called and not selling them. They kinda looked like some sort ot cactus plants.

 

[Blob-79]

some sort of macro algae im sure. We dont normally keep macro in displays because 1 of 2 things happen, it takes over the tank or gets eaten.

the plant root comment was just a joke

 

[ricklalonde]

I just came from the pet store in Chatham and they had plants in there. I asked the lady but she didn't know what they were called and not selling them. They kinda looked like some sort ot cactus plants.

Scientific Name:  Halimeda sp.  (Halimeda discoidea shown)
Classification:        Algae 

Description:
Halimeda is a slow growing calcareous algae.  It has a holdfast (root) which is normally attached to the sandy substrate, but which may also attach to the live rock.  The body of the algae grows in a jointed plate fashion.

Good or Bad?:
Halimeda is probably the best macro algae to have in a reef tank.  It is slow growing, so it cannot easily become a nuisance.  It grows from a holdfast rather than runners, so it does not spread and take over the reef.  It also does not spontaneously combust as easily as Caulerpa, but the fronds will occasionally die and turn white due to the high percentage of calcium in the algae where as Caulerpa turn clear.  These actually contribute a great deal to the sand in many beach areas.

Notes:
Halimeda requires fairly high calcium and Alkalinity levels similar to stony corals to survive.  Halimeda also prefers higher intensity lighting.   

 

[Blob-79]

hm, thats actually kinda cool looking. calcareous too even, is it hard?

 

[lewis844]

if any one want any of this it grow like crazy in my tank I just throw it out

 

[pulpfiction1]

i understand that this growing great is a super  indicator of the good quality of your water,got that tidbit from bill at I.A.

 

[ZAX]

Next time you get rid of some, I would like to  try a little. Do you live in Chatham area?

 

[lewis844]

I live in Wallaceburg if you are ever down let me know i will give you what i can pull out

 

[ZAX]

sounds good, I look you up sometime when I go out that way....