Aragonite sand turning to sandstone

reefpour · 08/29/2006, 09:09 PM

My tank has been set up for 5 years. I noticed the other day that a large clump of my aragonite sand had turned into a lump of sandstone. Further investigation turned up many more lumps. I made aragocrete tables (ala GARF) to place my live rock on, and under the tables (they have three legs approx 2" long) was pretty much all sandstone.

I obviously have not had enough sand sifters/stirrers at work.

Anyone else had this happen to them? Any thoughts on what I should do?

BTW, this is a shallow sand bed, approx 2 1/2" deep.

Thanks,

Vincerama2 · 08/29/2006, 09:30 PM

Are you dosing kalkwasser? I heard that sometimes an alkalinity problem can lead to clumping aragonite.

V

reefpour · 08/29/2006, 09:36 PM

I don't use kalkwasser. I have a calcium reactor. pH is 8.2 mornings, and 8.3 when lights go out. Alk runs 9 DKH and calcium is at 440.

Now I might add that in 5 years, my parameters have gone a bit wiggy a time or 2. When I got the calcium reactor, I quit testing for calcium and alk after 3 or 4 months (everything seemed to be great with no maint needed). Then when my favorite large acro RTN'd on me, I found I had a clogged discharge line, and my calcium was in the 250 range...

I guess the clumps could have formed a while ago. I don't pay much attention to my sand bed. I know, I probably should...

PatrickJ · 08/29/2006, 10:28 PM

more flow to your sand?

reefpour · 08/30/2006, 09:24 AM

Good thought PartickJ. Do you mean enough flow that the sand is moving around? Or just a good flow over the top? Of course, I don't get much flow under my "table" base rocks...

Vincerama2 · 08/30/2006, 11:27 AM

Maybe add some critters that move the sand around too. Nassarius snails? Some of those sand-filtering fish?

V

Gary Majchrzak · 08/30/2006, 05:51 PM

Critters and water flow aren't the problem. Low pH and/or supersaturation of ca and alk caused sand particles to fuse.

cwegescheide · 08/30/2006, 05:57 PM

same thing happened to me after ALK was high for too long. My "sand bed" is now a rock bed.. I dread the thought of chipping it outa there... Atleast no detrius will build up in there

08/29/2006, 09:09 PM	#1
reefpour Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 85	Aragonite sand turning to sandstone My tank has been set up for 5 years. I noticed the other day that a large clump of my aragonite sand had turned into a lump of sandstone. Further investigation turned up many more lumps. I made aragocrete tables (ala GARF) to place my live rock on, and under the tables (they have three legs approx 2" long) was pretty much all sandstone. I obviously have not had enough sand sifters/stirrers at work. Anyone else had this happen to them? Any thoughts on what I should do? BTW, this is a shallow sand bed, approx 2 1/2" deep. Thanks,

08/29/2006, 09:30 PM	#2
Vincerama2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 4,684	Are you dosing kalkwasser? I heard that sometimes an alkalinity problem can lead to clumping aragonite. V __________________ Quality friendship ... at rock bottom prices! Current Tank Info: 10g nano reef, 58 Oceanic, 37 FW, toilet

08/29/2006, 10:28 PM	#4
PatrickJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Luling, La Posts: 587	more flow to your sand? __________________ I skim wet, therefore I am. Current Tank Info: 120 Monster

08/30/2006, 11:27 AM	#6
Vincerama2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 4,684	Maybe add some critters that move the sand around too. Nassarius snails? Some of those sand-filtering fish? V __________________ Quality friendship ... at rock bottom prices! Current Tank Info: 10g nano reef, 58 Oceanic, 37 FW, toilet

08/30/2006, 05:51 PM	#7
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Critters and water flow aren't the problem. Low pH and/or supersaturation of ca and alk caused sand particles to fuse. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

08/29/2006, 09:36 PM	#3
reefpour Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 85	I don't use kalkwasser. I have a calcium reactor. pH is 8.2 mornings, and 8.3 when lights go out. Alk runs 9 DKH and calcium is at 440. Now I might add that in 5 years, my parameters have gone a bit wiggy a time or 2. When I got the calcium reactor, I quit testing for calcium and alk after 3 or 4 months (everything seemed to be great with no maint needed). Then when my favorite large acro RTN'd on me, I found I had a clogged discharge line, and my calcium was in the 250 range... I guess the clumps could have formed a while ago. I don't pay much attention to my sand bed. I know, I probably should...

08/30/2006, 09:24 AM	#5
reefpour Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 85	Good thought PartickJ. Do you mean enough flow that the sand is moving around? Or just a good flow over the top? Of course, I don't get much flow under my "table" base rocks...

08/30/2006, 05:57 PM	#8
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	same thing happened to me after ALK was high for too long. My "sand bed" is now a rock bed.. I dread the thought of chipping it outa there... Atleast no detrius will build up in there