DSB is black in fuge???

Radicaljbr · 05/06/2008, 10:05 AM

I have not been paying attention much to my fuge because it is back in my tank room.

But I see that the dsb in it is black and dark grey. Why is this and how do I fix it?

My DSB in my tank is fine and healthy. I know the water flow in my fuge is pretty low and I am guessing that is it. Does the dark DSB mean it is dead? Is the color okay?

Any imput?

Thanks

jtma508 · 05/06/2008, 10:18 AM

The DSB is there so anaerobic bacteria can populate it. They are the ones that are largely responsible for breaking down nitrates to nitrogen gas. Do you smell sulfur coming off from your fuge? Anaerobes can generate sulfurdioxide gas and that process will often produce black material in the sand bed. How deep is your display substrate? Is it left alone or do you have sand sifting critters stirring it up? What is your nitrates test showing?

Radicaljbr · 05/06/2008, 01:58 PM

The black or grey has been in my fuge from day one of my new setup. You can click on my "Red House" to see my setup.

My main tank did have a little bit of this grey stuff but it went away several months ago now.

I haev not tested for Nitrates in a while but can do so in the next day or so.

I smell nothing bad in the fuge and it does not smell like sulfur. The bed in my fuge is around 6 inches. My display DSB is more like 4. I do not even have really anything in my tank except a tang and a clown. I have been waiting for worm tunnels (what I call them) before putting much in the tank. So, no, there are not any snd sifters.

Thanks

05/06/2008, 10:05 AM	#1
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	DSB is black in fuge??? I have not been paying attention much to my fuge because it is back in my tank room. But I see that the dsb in it is black and dark grey. Why is this and how do I fix it? My DSB in my tank is fine and healthy. I know the water flow in my fuge is pretty low and I am guessing that is it. Does the dark DSB mean it is dead? Is the color okay? Any imput? Thanks

05/06/2008, 10:18 AM	#2
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	The DSB is there so anaerobic bacteria can populate it. They are the ones that are largely responsible for breaking down nitrates to nitrogen gas. Do you smell sulfur coming off from your fuge? Anaerobes can generate sulfurdioxide gas and that process will often produce black material in the sand bed. How deep is your display substrate? Is it left alone or do you have sand sifting critters stirring it up? What is your nitrates test showing?

05/06/2008, 01:58 PM	#3
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	The black or grey has been in my fuge from day one of my new setup. You can click on my "Red House" to see my setup. My main tank did have a little bit of this grey stuff but it went away several months ago now. I haev not tested for Nitrates in a while but can do so in the next day or so. I smell nothing bad in the fuge and it does not smell like sulfur. The bed in my fuge is around 6 inches. My display DSB is more like 4. I do not even have really anything in my tank except a tang and a clown. I have been waiting for worm tunnels (what I call them) before putting much in the tank. So, no, there are not any snd sifters. Thanks