Explained: My Weekly Live Rock Cleaning Method

[@JeepinReefer406]

This is a great tip! And if you have an infestation of vermitid snails it's a great time to dose coral snow (Calcium Carbonate)! The detritus in the column stimulates them to cast nets, and the calcium carbonate in the snow chokes them out. Snow never really worked for me until I did it this way.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

True story. Those little creeps are annoying!

[@Manosetremor]

I create a "storm" in the tank every week and I mix the sandbed good but my tank is just going through the ugly stages becasue it's new. I am loving my reefi leds by the way!!!

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Love to hear that about the lights! Man, they are good. Ugly stages are no fun, but they do subside.

[@RatherBeTraveling]

I do that, with a side of coral snow.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

@@RatherBeTraveling Yep! Lot of folks do! I need to try it.

[@youronlycow]

What i do is similar but I flush the rocks with a turkey baster or coral feeder. I also start another siphon from the main display into a spare filter sock tossed into the sump. That way, all these loose and suspended item will flow into the second siphon and be drained away. Higher chance of getting these detritus out instead of hoping it goes down the overflow. I can move the second siphon around as well to capture these floating pieces...

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Yep, that’s a good call. At some point, when my life calms down, I’ll likely institute a similar approach. Right now, every minute must be the most efficient thing possible. I already spend too much time on tanks…but man I love it.

[@youronlycow]

@@kalamazoo_reefer I love it too! I'll be shifting home soon and will be upgrading to a tank similar to yours, the Peninsula 120 Gen 2 and I can't wait! Forsee even more hours of staring and zoing out :D Through out my life, I truly think that this is the best hobby I've found. So calming, peaceful and fufilling. Too bad I couldnt start this as a child due to cost and knowledge requirements.. As much as life allows, I would strive to keep it till the end of times

[@chasencorals]

I use a turkey baster to blow my rock scape and corals every other day. I find it satisfying to do it this way. A lot of people suggest I use a power head but for some reason i find it more enjoyable to use a baster hahah.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Oh there’s definite merit to it. You can be much more precise and probably generate stronger “pinpoint” jets of water.

[@thatplantguy93]

A lot of people obsess over the sand and glass. Gotta clean the glass! Gotta keep the sand white! Um, what about the rock? It’s WAY more porous and pitted than a nice smooth sand bed or glass panel. ALWAYS clean off the hardscape.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Critically important! I concur!

[@truckinlow1]

I do this in my planted aquarium. I have so many plants the detritus collects like crazy.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Thinking about all the stuff that must be settling throughout the week stresses me out 😂

[@TrevorHiller]

It’s not asbestos 😂 I loled at that. Completely agree. I think that’s why a lot of people have nutrient control issues. They never suck the shit out of the bottom of the tank!

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Blows my mind. “Don’t disturb the toxic sludge building up.” Like…say wut?