sandbed

reefen on the edge · 07/31/2007, 08:33 AM

My tank is 5 months old with a deep sand bed. Two weeks ago, in one corner the sand has become VERY hard and clumpy. I use a vaccum once a week. WHATS UP?

WaterKeeper · 07/31/2007, 08:44 AM

Hi Ozzette

To Reef Central

Usually it is a bacteria cementing the sand together. You can check this out by removing a couple of clumps and soaking one in a 1/3 bleach to water solution and the other in 50/50 vinegar to water solution for an hour or so. If it is bacteria action the bleach breaks up the clumps and if calcium precipitation then the vinegar works.

If it is bacterial clumping then it may be you vacuum too much. A DSB works best when left alone and stirring things up defeats the purpose. Only vacuum the very top of the bed and not too often. This will stop the bacteria from trying so hard to keep the sand in place.

For calcium clumping one needs to adjust their alkalinity, pH and calcium levels to the proper amounts.

reefen on the edge · 07/31/2007, 08:56 AM

Thank you for your help. From your response, I suspect it will be bacteria. My calcium is at 380. I do vacuum the bed deeply since I found out that poisonous gases can build up and be released into the tank killing everything.

reefen on the edge · 07/31/2007, 09:02 AM

Thank you for your help. From your response, I suspect it will be bacteria. My calcium is at 380. I do vacuum the bed deeply since I found out that poisonous gases can build up and be released into the tank killing everything.

07/31/2007, 08:33 AM	#1
reefen on the edge Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: usa Posts: 7	sandbed My tank is 5 months old with a deep sand bed. Two weeks ago, in one corner the sand has become VERY hard and clumpy. I use a vaccum once a week. WHATS UP?

07/31/2007, 08:44 AM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Ozzette *To Reef Central* Usually it is a bacteria cementing the sand together. You can check this out by removing a couple of clumps and soaking one in a 1/3 bleach to water solution and the other in 50/50 vinegar to water solution for an hour or so. If it is bacteria action the bleach breaks up the clumps and if calcium precipitation then the vinegar works. If it is bacterial clumping then it may be you vacuum too much. A DSB works best when left alone and stirring things up defeats the purpose. Only vacuum the very top of the bed and not too often. This will stop the bacteria from trying so hard to keep the sand in place. For calcium clumping one needs to adjust their alkalinity, pH and calcium levels to the proper amounts. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

07/31/2007, 08:56 AM	#3
reefen on the edge Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: usa Posts: 7	Thank you for your help. From your response, I suspect it will be bacteria. My calcium is at 380. I do vacuum the bed deeply since I found out that poisonous gases can build up and be released into the tank killing everything.

07/31/2007, 09:02 AM	#4
reefen on the edge Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: usa Posts: 7	Thank you for your help. From your response, I suspect it will be bacteria. My calcium is at 380. I do vacuum the bed deeply since I found out that poisonous gases can build up and be released into the tank killing everything.