Good or bad idea?

[TimL]

Is it a good idea while periodically blowing detritus off of LR during water changes to also "blow" the sand as well.

Or does this disturb the sand bed? It's not a DSB but about 2" deep.

[RyanBrucks]

really depends on the grain size of the sandbed in question. if you have sugarfine it may create quite a mess. if you have the next step up (like I do in my temp holding tank), then it will hardly make a mess at all.

[dendro982]

I would rather use gravel/sand washer attachment to a hose (with wide part, where water "tornado" separates detritus from heavier sand. Cleaned sand drops to the bottom, detritus is siphoned out).

[SHARKBAITNC]

Originally posted by dendro982
I would rather use gravel/sand washer attachment to a hose (with wide part, where water "tornado" separates detritus from heavier sand. Cleaned sand drops to the bottom, detritus is siphoned out).

Agreed this will work much better for what you are trying to do.

Nick

[TimL]

Great...thanks for the info.

[reefworm]

as to the original question - good or bad - probably a good idea, using the methods mentioned above, as this happens in nature with storms, etc. might also prevent diatom or cyano breakouts by hitting areas not touched so much by water flow. if lots of detritus is building up regularly you might want to address how much flow you have and where.