Water Changes and "vacuming" sand

[sammyinafrica]

I have read tons of stuf on this....what are your thoughts.

vacum sand or not. Is so once per month or every water change....

thoughts?

[ballardjr2000]

I personally do not vaccum my sand i use a dragon goby to stir things up before that it was a diamond goby that moved tons of sand around. However he decided to jump out a one point and sunbath under my lights when i found him it was too late now i use the dragon goby he does alright.

[Europhyllia]

I have DSBs so I vacuum only the very top layer very lightly. I stay away from stuff like sandsifting gobies, sandsifting sea stars, etc.

[sammyinafrica]

Thanks for the thoughts guys!

why do you stay away from sand sifter gobies? I have a yellow headed and he keeps my tank nice and white...although I have mounds of sand :)

[Europhyllia]

why do you stay away from sand sifter gobies? I have a yellow headed and he keeps my tank nice and white...although I have mounds of sand I like sandbeds with a purpose rather than just ornamental sandbeds.
So I want stuff to grow in them: beneficial bacteria (which works better when there are different undisturbed layers) and microfauna (like pods).
The sandsifting critters don't sift the sand because they like to clean stuff, they sift it to find something to eat. In a small place like a aquarium they quickly eat through most beneficial stuff leaving the sandbed void of the stuff I find beneficial in there.

People who know my tank plans might say: "hey you keep mandarins and those eat pods and you plan to keep jawfish which burrow in the sand" so here's my response to that:
The mandarins mostly pick around on the rocks. The rocks I use have gazillions of holes, nooks and crannies. Pecking on rocks is not as 'efficient' in my opinion in removing the whole pod population as sifting sand is.
I also make a clear distinction between burrowers and sifters. Burrowers are critters that build permanent housing in the substrate but derive their food from the water column. Sifters are critters the continuously sift/disturb the substrate because they find their food there.

So that's why. I like for my sandbed to have a purpose and stay alive. :)

I think if your sandbed ahs already been stripped of the critters that would otherwise eat up your detritus then vacuuming it more thoroughly would be a good idea.

[cedrod]

Personally I think its like changing your oil in your vehicle and not changing your oil filter. Why would you change water in your tank and not vacum your sand. Just my opinion.

[Big_Pun]

if you have enough flow shouldn't be a reason to vac sand. powerheads should keep stuff from settling on rocks and sand. also a good sand sifting fish helps, I have a twin spot, and have never vac sand

[sampsonndelila]

I don't vacuum. I have two reasons, for one it is way too high. My 42 inch stand is awesome to look into the tank, but cleaning the bottom of a 31 inch deep tank on a 42 inch stand is very difficult. Second reason I am really lazy. I have a sand sifting goby who keeps the sand white. If I would vacuum i would vacuum the rocks that sometimes harbor debris.
Wish I had good reasons like Karin.

[kkiel02]

I dont do it as I have a dsb and dont want to release the toxins/nutrients that may have built up. I rely on my worms and snails to slowly stir it up for me.