Stirring the substrate in a marine aquarium; good or bad?

Question

I work at one of those big box PET COmpanies, and we stir the substrate in the marine aquariums every day. I also have a marine tank and I've read that disturbing the substrate could mess with the biological filter. So, good thing or bad thing?

Answer 1

Ideally you have sand-sifting orgamisms in the substrate like bristleworms, sand-sifting seastars, sea cucumbers, and nassarius snails that clean the substrate for you. But since they are able to disturbe the substrate, you should be able to as well (but every day?).

I think the idea that you shouldn't do this came from when people were using deep substrate beds or plenum systems (where there was open space beneath the substrate, as you get with a gravel filter). Since these areas tend not to get as much oxygen, they become anaerobic and can build up hydrogen sulfide gas, which when released could kill the fish. As long as your substrate isn't deep, and you've been stirring it up to prevent anaerobic areas, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Answer 2

its ok once in a while, like along with a regular cleaning maintenance to help the loose particles that have sunken to the bottom get sucked up into the filter.
everyday seem a bit excessive.


SLY