Vacuming sand?

[SoulFish]

How oftten do you guys vacume your sand bed? 1/3 a week? More less? None at all?

Keep in mind I'll be trying a FO SW tank.

[Toddrtrex]

I have a shallow sand bed in each of my 3 reef tanks, I vac all the open sand I get to each with each weekly water change.

[SteveNMegz]

what do you consider a shallow sand bed???

ours is about 2", 3" in some spots, but were noticing a green slime like algae starting to grow on it. never vacuumed it but thinking of it now.

[Toddrtrex]

2" over all, with 3" in a couple of spots. Don't have a ruler handy ( and I am at work ), but here is a picture of one my tanks, hopefully that will give you an idea of how deep my sand bed is.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/FTS4_23_08.jpg

[Hop]

I agree with Todd here. I siphon crud, moreso than the sand itself. By getting the crud out, some sand comes with it. I shoot for it at waterchange time about once a week right now.

[kenargo]

I don't vacuum at all; I prefer to let critters take care of it. Gobbles, Sand-sifting star fish, etc will keep the sand in good condition and allows your sand to grow. Many beneficial worms and crustations live in the sand and if you vacuum it you remove them.