Clean sand bed

[boxfish]

Hi,

Just wonder how you guys manager to keep the sand bed in the main tank clean for reef & fish tank?

My sand keeps getting stained quickly even after I change it. Cleaning just can't remove the stain.

Don't understand why? Can someone advice me.

[CKS]

How does the 'stain' look/feel ?

[TanGo]

Try directing a PH on the sand patch. not directly.. I mean put stronger currents passing your sandbed.. It works for me..

2cts

[boxfish]

How does the 'stain' look/feel ?

Usually dark color. Though no many are "stained" but once the fishes start to distribute the sand by rubbing their bodies on it...the overall feel of the sand bed is DIRTY

Another PH..hmm....what's the smallest PH that won't generate too m uch heat around?

[shiraz]

how bout adding "turbo snails" or blennies to the tank? my sand bed was full of algae b4 i added those 2 fellas... now my sand bed is alot cleaner but what tango said is true also... i put a powerhead quite near the sandbed too... try it and it would work...

[boxfish]

I'll post a pic of my dirty sandbed

[boxfish]

Ok, I'll hunt for a small PH just for the sand!

Electric bill up & heat also up

[Achilles Tang]

For clean WHITE sand... use bleach!

[Tanzy]

Dynamo works for me, don't have to use bleach.

[Sinn]

dettol sanitizer?

99.9% bacteria gone!

[boxfish]

Emm..is this a laundry club?

[kelstorm]

Hi,

Just wonder how you guys manager to keep the sand bed in the main tank clean for reef & fish tank?

My sand keeps getting stained quickly even after I change it. Cleaning just can't remove the stain.

Don't understand why? Can someone advice me.

some of them use the black cucumber to do the job for them.

[Achilles Tang]

Presenting Mr Donkey Dung! I surprised him late last night when the lights are out.

Chomp chomp chomp

Nice little piles of clean sand left behind!

[dodo]

is tis blacky thingy called 'black cukie' or something like tat...i thk marine life came in some stocks...but didn't manage to get my hands on them

[kais]

Some information on the Internet mention that sea cucumber are poisonous. When true is the statement? I'm thinking of getting the guy to do the job.

[DragonGoby]

Some cukes will "vomit" their guts out when threatened *severely*, and these guys are generally the more brightly-coloured filter-feeders like sea apples. The detritus-eating types, such as the donkey dung or the pink and black cukes, are generally safe. You might want to implement safety measures like putting protective grilles on the intake of your powerheads so that they won't crawl in and result in a "cuke nuke".

[eprouve]

Surprisingly, I'm getting the algae problem in my refugium, instead of the main tank. Diatoms and a little red slime. Sigh... are putting cucumbers/turbos in the refugium's DSB ok??

I was thinking more along the lines of putting in new sand to cover the top.

[kelstorm]

Surprisingly, I'm getting the algae problem in my refugium, instead of the main tank. Diatoms and a little red slime. Sigh... are putting cucumbers/turbos in the refugium's DSB ok??

I was thinking more along the lines of putting in new sand to cover the top.

i think u should resolve the prob.. putting in new sand will not solve it though it might beautify the appearance of it.

[kelstorm]

Some information on the Internet mention that sea cucumber are poisonous. When true is the statement? I'm thinking of getting the guy to do the job.

when it is stressed... if your water quality is good and dun have any fishes to ka-chao it.. it will be fine.

[Dinosaur]

For clean WHITE sand... use bleach!

Sounds like a good idea, will try it tonight

[Dinosaur]

Some information on the Internet mention that sea cucumber are poisonous. When true is the statement? I'm thinking of getting the guy to do the job.

mine keep hanging on the glass wall, climbing all over the place. Though it suppose to do some sand cleaning job ?

[hongqixian]

is tis blacky thingy called 'black cukie' or something like tat...i thk marine life came in some stocks...but didn't manage to get my hands on them

Note that they starve in new and small tanks, say 2-3 ft.

[TanGo]

Ok.. To kill all rumours..

Holothuria

Common Name: Tigertail, Donkey Dung, "trepang", "bechede mer."

Region: Circumtropical and in temperate seas.

Description: Holothuria (Halodeima) atra from the Red Sea to Hawaii is completely black. Holothuria (Halodeima) edulis has a dark dorsal surface and pinkish or reddish ventral surface. Holothuria (Halodeima) floridana is a common, variably colored species collected in Florida for aquariums. There are probably several genera classified in this genus, but all mop up sandand detritus to obtain their food. Excellent for reef aquariums with sandy bottoms. Holothuria (Thymiosycia) thomasi, the Tigertail seacucumber from the Caribbean, reaches a length in excess of 6 feet. It remains hidden in coral or coral rock during the day, and extends its ###### end to mop up the surrounding sand at night.

Similar: There are so many varieties under this genus no encompassing comparison can be made.

Desirable/ undesirable features: Useful in reef aquariums. Toxic or harmful to fishes. Reef safe.

Food: Detritivore

Special considerations: Harmed by pump intakes or overflow drains. Injured animals may release mild or potent toxins, harmful to fish.

Aquarium size: Do not put too many in an aquarium as they quickly consume all available food in the substrate. As a general rule of thumb - stock aquariums with about 3 inches of seacucumber per 20 gallons. The tigertail is an exception to this rule.

Hardiness in captivity: Hardy. Some species may reproduce vegetatively, by fission. Life span - years.

[KingFish]

Ok.. To kill all rumours..

...

Saw these 'uglies' at an LFS, was contemplating for a while ... maybe its functional aspects will be a reason to get one.

Tango ... making full use of the books, and I see you're getting ready for your new car eh?

[dodo]

ahhh....so not so good to have such blackie....

so aquarium size doesn't really matters...but i thk i still will forget such toxic creature...can't imagine it releasing toxins and kill all my fishes