View Full Version : Sandbed replacement = No more cyno???
Ok I have been dealing with Cynobacteria and most of it acumulates on the sandbed. The liverock is fine but the sand bed looks filthy no matter how many times I vaccum it. It is a livesand bed with a few bristle worms and various other worms. If I scoop this out and replace it with a shallow fine sand layer do you think this could solve the problem??? Has anyone tried this????
Thanks,
Marc
redmonkey0019
04/30/2007, 10:43 PM
Do you have any inverts that help out with the sand?
No I don't generally keep them anymore. They are often expensive and don't often last to long. I used to have hermit crabs snails etc. I currently use rowaphos in a fluidized bed filter for over a month now. Does not seem to have much effect on the cyno.
redmonkey0019
04/30/2007, 11:01 PM
Hmm, I have snails, and they generally keep the sand looking "clean" I dont ever vacuum it, replaceing it and staring over would seem like you would come to the same outcome to in the end. Maybe thats just how im thinking
Well I know that all the phosphate is trapped in the sand bed it self and I'm sure of it that is what is fueling the cyno.
Marc
drummereef
04/30/2007, 11:51 PM
Do you know your nitrate and phosphate levels? Do you use RO/DI water and know the TDS? How much flow and skimming do you have?
nanoguy
05/01/2007, 12:06 AM
I believe the source of cyanobacteria outbreak is do to high nutrient levels and poor water flow in your tank. Here's my suggestion for you.......siphon out as much as you can, increase your flow in the water colum by adding extra powerheads and do a weekly 10% water change over the next month and see what happens. Clean water and good flow is the key.
nanoguy,
Actually I have already tried that. It still came back with a vengence. Right now I am in the process of tairing out my sand bed and replacing it with Seachem sand and some caribsea aragamax select. It is a huge job. It may take me all night. The sand was almost pure brown when I took it out. Nasty Stuff.
Thanks,
Marc
Dingo Dog
05/01/2007, 05:31 PM
I was told to put only enough sand to lightly cover the bottom of the tank and NOT to place rock on top of the sand.
What's the deal about the Seachem sand and caribsea aragamax?
I had to run to petsmart today and thats all they had. Whats wrong with seachem???
Well the outcome of my sand bed replacement project has worked wonders. The Cyno is gone as well as the green algae that was growing on the rocks. My nitrate and phophate went straight down to zero!!!! Changing the sand bed was defenintly the answer!!! All I have now is a 1/4" of sand on the bottom. Large pieces of live rock that easily weigh 20 pounds or more are supported on egg crate placed on the bottom glass.
Marc
jba6511
05/06/2007, 09:27 PM
I know its a little late now but for those facing a similar situation...
There is a thread in this forum from aquabucket about no light for 3 days. Read it. I just tried this method, and like many others, it got rid of my cyano. So if you have done everything (increased flow, reduced feeding, water changes, reduced lighting, etc.) and it still will not go away, consider giving this a shot. Its free and better IMO than adding chemicals to the tank. Hope this helps someone out there.
gman0526
05/06/2007, 09:46 PM
Glad it worked as you intended. Keep reefin' and enjoying your tank.
Cody Ray
05/06/2007, 10:14 PM
Sand is easy enough to replace so why not do it. Sand acts like a natural phosphate sponge (not so much a sponge as magnet, phosphate binds to calcium). By adding new sand you provide more space for phosphate. No need for a reactor!
davidryder
05/07/2007, 12:08 AM
Try some nassarius snails and a fighting conch or two - they will stir the crap out of the sand. A new sandbed IMO won't make your problem go away.
Cyano however is usually a sign of poor water quality.
rkcca
05/07/2007, 12:53 AM
I fought cyano for a while. I was getting it even on high flow areas. Picture strings blowing in the breaze.
Siphoned out the my year old sand and the cyano disappeared in a few days. Corals are happier too.
I'll stay bare bottom from now on. Less maintenance and no more sand dunes.
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