having bubble coming out of my deep sand bed

hipertec · 02/24/2006, 10:54 PM

I have a really bad hair algae problem. Tried EVERYTHING and cant get rid of it.
I do notice there are small amounts of bubbles coming from my DSB..what is it?
and should I distrub my DSB?

jeffbrig · 02/24/2006, 11:13 PM

The bubbles are most likely nitrogen gas. The final step of the nitrogen cycle is converting nitrate back to to free nitrogen.

Blown 346 · 02/24/2006, 11:14 PM

NO, do not disturb the sand bed. If you have darker colored spots in the sand that you can see thru the front glass, those are anerobic zones and can quickly destroy and kill the whole tank.

hipertec · 02/24/2006, 11:21 PM

whoa..yes i have dark spots and holes in the sand that I can see.
Is the nitrogen gas good or bad?
My tanks been established for over 2 years and now I have this green hair algae and cannot get rid of it.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/24/2006, 11:48 PM

Hair algae removal:

1. Toothbrush harvest / net daily
2. Powerhead / turkey baster on LR daily after harvesting
3. 25% water changes daily (after blasting LR)
4. Chaetomorpha in fuge and/or Phosban / Phosguard / Phosphate Sponge

Eventually, all of the excess PO4 in the system will leach from the LR, grow out in the hair algae, and get removed by your toothbrush and net. Water changes and chaetomorpha/chemical media will continually lower concentration until it eventually reaches zero.

Took me 3 weeks of doing this every day to completely eradicate it from my old 75, and the LR was about 80% covered when I started.

jeffbrig · 02/25/2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hipertec
Is the nitrogen gas good or bad?

It's a good thing.....without this taking place, you'd have more nitrate remaining in your tank.

02/24/2006, 10:54 PM	#1
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	having bubble coming out of my deep sand bed I have a really bad hair algae problem. Tried EVERYTHING and cant get rid of it. I do notice there are small amounts of bubbles coming from my DSB..what is it? and should I distrub my DSB?

02/24/2006, 11:13 PM	#2
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	The bubbles are most likely nitrogen gas. The final step of the nitrogen cycle is converting nitrate back to to free nitrogen. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

02/24/2006, 11:48 PM	#5
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Hair algae removal: 1. Toothbrush harvest / net daily 2. Powerhead / turkey baster on LR daily after harvesting 3. 25% water changes daily (after blasting LR) 4. Chaetomorpha in fuge and/or Phosban / Phosguard / Phosphate Sponge Eventually, all of the excess PO4 in the system will leach from the LR, grow out in the hair algae, and get removed by your toothbrush and net. Water changes and chaetomorpha/chemical media will continually lower concentration until it eventually reaches zero. Took me 3 weeks of doing this every day to completely eradicate it from my old 75, and the LR was about 80% covered when I started. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/24/2006, 11:14 PM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	NO, do not disturb the sand bed. If you have darker colored spots in the sand that you can see thru the front glass, those are anerobic zones and can quickly destroy and kill the whole tank.

02/24/2006, 11:21 PM	#4
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	whoa..yes i have dark spots and holes in the sand that I can see. Is the nitrogen gas good or bad? My tanks been established for over 2 years and now I have this green hair algae and cannot get rid of it.