Stiring sand or not when doing water change?

[dndmicks]

Just wondering what everyone does with there sand when doing a maintain on there systems. Ive always been told not to disturb the sand bed but have been noticing alot of crap growing under it in the front of the glass.Should I be stirring when i do a water change?

[username in use]

I do, but its very shallow.

If its a deep sand bed I wouldn't touch it.

[dndmicks]

I do, but its very shallow.

If its a deep sand bed I wouldn't touch it.
so Just the top layer right?

[username in use]

Mines very shallow, I go right to the glass, I don't go crazy, but it gets turned over.

[RtReef]

I never do with my sandbed. I allow the orange spot goby and sand sifting starfish to stir the sand for me.

[fpv930]

If you have a deep sand bed you should not tough the sand at all. The idea is to let the organisms break down the waste and turn it gasses. The gasses should not be disturbed.

If you have a shallow sandbed 1"-2" they you may clean the front of the glass.
Search this site for DSB. You will get a lot of information.
Also check out this site for more information on sandbeds:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

[windyridge]

My sand is about an inch deep. I push the cylinder down to the bottom wherever I can.

[csmfish]

You could always keep the front of the glass sand over turned. Just do like 1/2" from the front, nothing special and it will not hurt anything, look good and give you piece of mind.

How deep is your sand?

[RubberFrog]

I vacumn it every time.