When stirring up sand

[Cheese Specialist]

Hi,

There's a topic on here about stirring up sand. I have never done it other than moving stuff generally. Are you supposed to go to the very bottom or just the surface? Would my fish be doing that for me (see sig)?

I undersatand it's becasue of pockets of bad bacteria caused by lack of air to the good bacteria

Cheers guys!

 

[Alien_spawn]

I always do this once a week, and do it to the bottom weither or not this is correct I'm uncertain, but thats how I do it and the fish are fine ( I use an old chop stick)

 

[Loboto-Me]

My next tank will be a sand substrate. What about sand getting into the filter? Do you turn the filter off when stirring so as not to damage the filter innards?

 

[smockit]

how does sand go in water without it turning to mud?

 

[Bol]

how does sand go in water without it turning to mud?

The same way it does in a river, or ocean.

Clean sand has particles big enough, and heavy enough, to sink in the water. So, properly rinsed, it usually doesn't have many particles that float around in the water.

As to the original question, I don't have any sand tanks, but from what I've read, I would guess you'd stir it to the bottom.

Also, I hear that when these anaerobic pockets form, and start producing hydrogen sulfite, the sand usually turns blackish in that area.