sandbed question

seachel71 · 04/28/2007, 07:50 AM

Hi all,

I know I have lots of questions for you this week. Thanks for your help!

My sandbed has patches of green and purple and greyish in it. It's like rainbow colored sand.

Any idea what that is about. It is the same color as the coraline algae?

Michelle

medic29 · 04/28/2007, 08:29 AM

It could be coraline, but I'd suspect other algae. Do you have any "critters" to stir up your sandbed??

seachel71 · 04/28/2007, 09:35 AM

I have some crabs, starfish, and lots of bristleworms. Is there something else I should have?
Michelle

Garlicman2006 · 04/28/2007, 09:39 AM

Are the colors in layers of the sand? If so, you just have a big Winogradsky column going.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winogradsky_column

The fun pet of microbiologists

seachel71 · 04/28/2007, 11:31 AM

That looks cool, might have to try to make one. However, mine are just in random splotches.

redvipe2010 · 04/29/2007, 12:46 AM

Michelle, you have Asteria stars. These won't stir the sand bed. I suggest getting some Nassarius snails or Fighting Conch. However, with crabs, there is always the possibility they will eat them.

seachel71 · 04/29/2007, 08:44 AM

Thanks Brenda!

Vitaly · 05/01/2007, 11:48 PM

Michelle,

I think you are witnessing something similiar to what appeared in my sand several months ago. Do it look something like this?

I posted a thread about this myself and that concensus was this it is perfectly normal, and seems to be a sign of a productive and healthy microbial community in your sand.

epon · 05/02/2007, 08:11 AM

Nassarius snails are carrion eatters, unless you're giving them chunks of meat to eat they will starve in our tanks.

Cyanobacteria are a normal bloom in a maturing tank. If it persist look for nutrient sources ( such as TDS levels in topoff and wc water ), increase skimming, run carbon, true polyfilter and increase water changes.

redvipe2010 · 05/02/2007, 11:04 AM

I have never lost a Nassarius snail, even before I fed Rods food. I highly recommend them.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1133

from liveaquaria.com:

"these snails are perfect for the reef aquarium, quickly consuming detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. Nassarius Snails like to bury themselves in the sand, which will help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the substrate. "

epon · 05/02/2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redvipe2010
I have never lost a Nassarius snail, even before I fed Rods food. I highly recommend them.

How long have you had them ?

IME they bury themselves untill they smell carrion ( flake or other food ) and begin the race.

redvipe2010 · 05/02/2007, 08:59 PM

I've had them at least 17 months, maybe longer. They stay in the sand bed sifting through the sand. When I feed Rods food, they do come out. I have never had a problem with my sand bed, they do an excellent job IMO. My sand bed stays pretty clean. I have only been using Rods food for about a year, and initially I didn't feed that often. I'm setting up a new tank, and they will be the first snails I purchase for the new tank.

Vitaly · 05/02/2007, 09:58 PM

Yah...I got Nassarius snails from Premium about 8 months ago(?) and they are all doing well. Just as redvipe2010 described, they stay buried in the sandbed...and rapidly emerge once food is in the water.

I feed a variety of foods; including Rods Food, Flake, Pellet, Formula2, Mysis, Brine...and some others that I cannot think off.

04/28/2007, 07:50 AM	#1
seachel71 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mahomet, IL Posts: 466	sandbed question Hi all, I know I have lots of questions for you this week. Thanks for your help! My sandbed has patches of green and purple and greyish in it. It's like rainbow colored sand. Any idea what that is about. It is the same color as the coraline algae? Michelle __________________ Hey you.....get out of the gene pool. Current Tank Info: 75 and 8 gallon FOWLR. I just added a few softies to the big tank. Have my fingers crossed.

04/28/2007, 08:29 AM	#2
medic29 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pesotum, IL Posts: 2,460	It could be coraline, but I'd suspect other algae. Do you have any "critters" to stir up your sandbed?? __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 20 gal display w/10 gal sump.

04/28/2007, 09:35 AM	#3
seachel71 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mahomet, IL Posts: 466	I have some crabs, starfish, and lots of bristleworms. Is there something else I should have? Michelle __________________ Hey you.....get out of the gene pool. Current Tank Info: 75 and 8 gallon FOWLR. I just added a few softies to the big tank. Have my fingers crossed.

04/28/2007, 11:31 AM	#5
seachel71 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mahomet, IL Posts: 466	That looks cool, might have to try to make one. However, mine are just in random splotches. __________________ Hey you.....get out of the gene pool. Current Tank Info: 75 and 8 gallon FOWLR. I just added a few softies to the big tank. Have my fingers crossed.

04/29/2007, 08:44 AM	#7
seachel71 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mahomet, IL Posts: 466	Thanks Brenda! __________________ Hey you.....get out of the gene pool. Current Tank Info: 75 and 8 gallon FOWLR. I just added a few softies to the big tank. Have my fingers crossed.

04/28/2007, 09:39 AM	#4
Garlicman2006 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 48	Are the colors in layers of the sand? If so, you just have a big Winogradsky column going. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winogradsky_column The fun pet of microbiologists

04/29/2007, 12:46 AM	#6
redvipe2010 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 1,891	Michelle, you have Asteria stars. These won't stir the sand bed. I suggest getting some Nassarius snails or Fighting Conch. However, with crabs, there is always the possibility they will eat them.

05/01/2007, 11:48 PM	#8
Vitaly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 1,278	Michelle, I think you are witnessing something similiar to what appeared in my sand several months ago. Do it look something like this? I posted a thread about this myself and that concensus was this it is perfectly normal, and seems to be a sign of a productive and healthy microbial community in your sand. __________________ Vitaly A. Stepensky Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef

05/02/2007, 08:11 AM	#9
epon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign Posts: 1,907	Nassarius snails are carrion eatters, unless you're giving them chunks of meat to eat they will starve in our tanks. Cyanobacteria are a normal bloom in a maturing tank. If it persist look for nutrient sources ( such as TDS levels in topoff and wc water ), increase skimming, run carbon, true polyfilter and increase water changes.

05/02/2007, 11:04 AM	#10
redvipe2010 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 1,891	I have never lost a Nassarius snail, even before I fed Rods food. I highly recommend them. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1133 from liveaquaria.com: "these snails are perfect for the reef aquarium, quickly consuming detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. Nassarius Snails like to bury themselves in the sand, which will help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the substrate. "

05/02/2007, 08:59 PM	#12
redvipe2010 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 1,891	I've had them at least 17 months, maybe longer. They stay in the sand bed sifting through the sand. When I feed Rods food, they do come out. I have never had a problem with my sand bed, they do an excellent job IMO. My sand bed stays pretty clean. I have only been using Rods food for about a year, and initially I didn't feed that often. I'm setting up a new tank, and they will be the first snails I purchase for the new tank.

05/02/2007, 09:58 PM	#13
Vitaly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 1,278	Yah...I got Nassarius snails from Premium about 8 months ago(?) and they are all doing well. Just as redvipe2010 described, they stay buried in the sandbed...and rapidly emerge once food is in the water. I feed a variety of foods; including Rods Food, Flake, Pellet, Formula2, Mysis, Brine...and some others that I cannot think off. __________________ Vitaly A. Stepensky Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef