Sand bed trade needed.

DRC Archive General Saltwater Discussion
1

If anyone hears of another sand bed trade please let me know. After recent stressful times with my tank I believe it may have hurt the biological diversity in my tanks.

For those who have not heard of “Sand bed trades” these can be a useful tool in boosting the health of your tank and in reducing the risk of “Old tank syndrome”. We all know part of the reason we purchase LR(Live Rock) is for the microfauna and bacterias present in them to help boost the health and diversity present in our systems. Over time in a small system some of the biodiversity can be lost and could use a boost. Sand bed trades are just one way to do so.
Typically people mail in a small container of their substrate and it is all mixed together at someone’s home. It is kept in water with good chemistry for at least 4 weeks 2 months to reduce the risk of spreading disease and other unwanted organisms. After 4 weeks everyone who mailed in some substrate is mailed back a container to add to their system.

For more on “Old tank syndrome” click here to see a video of Julian Sprung’s presentation at the DRC a couple years ago.

2

jon, chris did one and he held the sand for prolly 2 months, just for an extra margin of safety,

3

I would certainly hold it two months, put one month on there as people often times get touchy with the level of QT I put things through.

4

i had a ton of small creatures in my lb of sand, from worms on down in size. the prob with the sand swap in 09 was that the trade was open to people here but very very few participated, as i remember it

5

Sounds like a good idea.

We could bring a sample to a club meeting then pass them back out 2 or 3 months later.