Cleaning Tank

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Been lurking here for a bit and would like some direction. I posted my tank specs in the tanks forum. I change my water and have been vacuuming the tank like I did with the freshwater systems. But I notice a lot of things growing in the substrate and am wondering if that is a bad thing to do. I also have a more recent light green algae growing on the sides of the tank and have left that alone as I understand that green is good to a certain extent. Lots of coraline growth in purples and greens. I do have a little red algae looking stuff (bacteria?) in one spot that the crabs like and a bit of green algae on a old finger coral that some of the snails and crabs keep mowed down fairly well. I don't see any bristle worms. Should I just lightly vacuum the top of the dolomite? I also have a bit of green algae growing just under the substrate around the glass. I was told (LFS) that the olive & cerith snails would keep that under control, but they haven't. Should that be removed when I vacuum or leave it?

Thanks

 

[pwlong]

I used to vacuum my sand also, until I learned better. From what I have read, the sand should not be disturbed unnecessarily. This will give the critters a chance to grow. There is little that I have found living in my tank that is harmful, only unsightly. I have learned to leave it be, except for water changes and cleaning the glass so that I can see. I also have periodic outbreaks of green filamentous and red slime algae that I remove as needed.
HTH,
Phil