Best method for removing decomposing debris from substrate

[Henrik]

Hey Reef Community,

I recently inherited a saltwater tank from an acquaintance. The tank had been unattended for weeks and Nitrate levels and algae were out of control.

A couple of filter rinses and water changes later things are starting to look better. However, I do have a lot of decomposing grey matter sitting on the substrate. How can I get rid of it? Is it supposed to be there?

Every time I pour water into the tank the debris washes up into the tank. Yuck! My poor finned and antenna-ed friends. Should I buy a couple of hermit crabs and hope that they'll chew through it in time?

Help please! I've attached a picture...


- Henrik

 

[Awibrandy]

Vacuum/suck it out. If you have a python gravel cleaner, or it's equal it should be easy.;0)

 

[Pedro Nuno Ferreira]

Vacuum/suck it out. If you have a python gravel cleaner, or it's equal it should be easy.;0)

+1 ... and in addition to that, try to have more water current near the gravel... a small pump should do it (should not be powefull or it will also blow the gravel... ... like that the silt will not sit on the gravel ... much less of it will and most of it will end up in the filters/sump/skimmer.

Pedro Nuno

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

hermit crabs don't chew on what they left behind. LOL the grey matter is almost the last visible waste until they turn into molecular form. Like suggested earlier vacuum suck with a python and if you are out of new water, strap a fine filter sock(50 microns of below) over the output of the python and pour back the filtered water into the tank.

If you want to automate the processing, you can use a canister with a fine filer media too.

 

[Donewiththisplace]

Vacumming works..but definetly increase circulation. Get that stuff up into the water column so it can be filtered out. And keep up on the water changes. I also use a turkey baster to remove debris from the rocks from time to time...

What kind of filter you running? What size tank?

 

[ducati335i]

I turkey bast everyday! Sux, till I get my tunzes!

 

[Awibrandy]

Henrik, although your tank was an established tank it apparently was neglected for some time. If the tank was moved to your place that would mean that the substrate (sand bed) & rocks were disturbed. Upon doing such that released all the nasties within.
You will have to continue to vacuum that muck until it is gone.
Disturbing it in to the water stream in order to catch it did not work for me. The only thing that did work was vacuuming it off of the sand bed directly. Yeah, I would move my tanks ever so often cause I would either get a new tank, or simply got tired of where it was. Yeah I've been in the hobby for some years. Over 40 if you count my fresh water, brackish water, and eventually the past 10 years in saltwater. Just keep siphoning it out. That is all the debris that was stuck in the sand bed & rocks. Be careful where you place those Tunzes or you'll end up with a sand storm.

 

[CoralMeister]

Vacuuming is your best option. Just suck that out plus and other detritus in your tank to keep those nitrates down.