How can I clean Black sand Better?

[Alaskan4ever]

I have a 120 Gal Cichlid tank with Tahitian Black sand and some slate rocks. I am looking to find an easier way to keep the poo off the bottom on the sand. I have a siphon system but still finding it difficult to keep clean also does anyone have any ideas for other kinds of rocks I can add to make a more natural looking tank?

This picture is taken before the fish were.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Alaskan4ever/Aquarium%202008/l_607a21aa1ca8ff3627e69f9b0b354bd8.jpg

I have :
2 Electric Blue Haps
2 Griraffe Haps
1 Convict
2 Butterfly Peacocks
2 Electric Yellows
1 Acaei


I have an wet/dry filtration system and one powerhead and I was also wondering if I need more filtration. The water is clear now and all the levels are perfect.

[Pittbull]

how often do you perform water changes and what device do you use to remove the water with, also i see a future problem you may have if not addressed the 3 tier stack of slate to the right will more than likely fall and with slate may crack your glass maybe a different arrangement would help you out with how you could place the slate your imagination is key do what pleases you aye, let me know about the water changes and water removal device..

[Alaskan4ever]

I am using a wet fry filtration device and I also have a powerhead. I do water changes about 1 ever 2 weeks and it is filtering the water well , the levels are normal but there is alot settling to the bottom! I have glued the caves together previous to filling it! I use the siphon divice that you attach to your water faucet!

[Pittbull]

cool deal my friend so what i would do is when you get ready to do a water change is to use the vacuum hoovering over the sand to get the stuff that will suck up in the tube easily after that go back and stir the sand with the tube catching bigger particals with the tube in the water column when you use a water faucet device use caution you may suck up your sand depending on grade, you might want to do a bucket change with a gravel vac when you have heavy debris in the sand, but this should be done only when needed continue to use the faucet pump its better and i too have a python no spill n fill its the greatest, place your tumb near the exit portion of the tube when you notice sand starting to climb to high in the tube quickly place your tumb over the exit end of the tube stopping the sand from traveling up the tube and back to the sand bed, hope this helps my friend. also cool deal on the sealing of rock structures this will prevent you from a nightmare, take care..

[Pittbull]

as for rocks you could also add creek rock for a natural look and feel, you can incorporate the slate with the creek rock..


OK I AM NON-SPELLING FOOL TONIGHT SORRY ABOUT THAT I MEANT TO TYPE THUMB INSTEAD I TYPED TUMB TWICE, HEHEHE, AT LEAST I CAUGHT MY OWN MISTAKE AYE, HEHEHE..

[Alaskan4ever]

Thanks for all the info and ideas, if anyone has anymore ideas about how I can add some things to my tank I am up for sugesstions!
Also I love the Giraffe Haps they are so inquisitive and curious.... TRY SOME in your cicholid tank

[Rbishop]

I would add some driftwood.

You could add a spray bar down low, driven by a power head to help keep the debris suspended to be picked up by the filter suction.

[ChiaJesus]

I have Tahitian moon sand in my red terror tank and had the same problem. I added a second filter (now have a Fluval FX5 and a Rena XP3) and two of Hydor Koralia 2 water pumps to increase circulation. It's not perfect but it's a lot better.

[nguyendetecting]

you could try doing gravel vacs with a sponge attached to the end. You could get closer to the gravel without sucking it in, and any old food and what not just gets caught in the sponge. Even if you do pick up sand all you have to do is rinse the sponge clean in a bucket pour out the bucket and save your sand. =)

another way to do it, that I found out by accident is I stepped on gravel vac once and put a big crack in it. Went a head and used it, well that crack aka missing portion of the tube slowed down the water pressure so the sand would get sucked up about half way and would fall back to the bottom of the tube.

[Alaskan4ever]

Man I never thought of doing that. I will try that next time. For the filtration~ Do you think if I angled the powerhead downward that it may make the poo come off the bottom better. I just cleaned it off the bottom last weekend and I got up today and it is a NIGHTMARE!
Man I wish they would just stop poooing LOL