how do you turn over your sand bed?

[chris31]

im sort of in the middle of cleaning out my tank how do you turn over your sand bed with out creating a huge sand storm????

[haywood2]

I just put my hand deep into the sandbed and kind of grind the sand together between my fingers, then I slowly go over the area with my palm and the rest of my hand.

[Sk8r]

Don't!
Sandbeds are layered structures of bacteria, and turning over often leads to tank crashes.

If you want to clean your sand, employ some critters to do it for you in such small segments that it's safe: nassarius snails, conches, or even tigertail cucumbers.

[Maxi]

Pistol shrimps do a lot of turning over.

[capn_hylinur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10678894#post10678894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Don't!
Sandbeds are layered structures of bacteria, and turning over often leads to tank crashes.

If you want to clean your sand, employ some critters to do it for you in such small segments that it's safe: nassarius snails, conches, or even tigertail cucumbers.

agreed ---if you feel your sand bed needs clean--its probably the part you can see against the class---so that can be cleaned by pushing the scraper gently down between the glass and the layer against the glass

[schoch79]

I most definately agree with sk8r. If you do it yourself you will be in a world of hurt and will regret it really bad.

[sherm71tank]

I cleaned my sand bed once! I'll never go back to sand again!

[haywood2]

Wow I never knew that would be a problem... How about if I just push my hand along the top to stir up the brown stuff that accumulates?

[Sk8r]

Use a turkey baster to suck it up. That's safe.

[Roger928]

Nassarius snails are among my faves for working the sand.

[capn_hylinur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10679375#post10679375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Use a turkey baster to suck it up. That's safe.

that 's what I use too--but lightly---and while you are at it baste your live rock--puts all the detrius ect that collects on it back into the water column where it can be filtered away.

[trigger05]

Yup, i second the nasarius snails

[Captain Bucket]

Crab Goby. They are supposed to be difficult, but my guy's very robust, and works the sand like nothing I've ever seen. I think the secret with them is having the right kind of sand. I've got the kind of golden sand which is composed of smooth finely ground shells that results from wave action. If that's what you've got I guarantee they are the ticket.