Help: Clumping Sand Bed

PoonTang · #1 10-17-2008, 05:58 PM

In the last 2 weeks or so I have noticed that my sand bed is starting to form large soft clumps and turning a slight grey colour. Its not Cal/Alk binding as the clumps are definately soft and easy to break up. My best guess is some kind of a bacterial bloom??? What, if anything should be done and what causes it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Here is a bad picture of it.

Whatigot · #2 10-17-2008, 06:18 PM

maybe redundant, but are you dosing kalk/vineagar?

PoonTang · #3 10-17-2008, 06:34 PM

Yes, but i quit dosing the vinegar about a month ago.

RuGlu6 · #4 10-17-2008, 07:45 PM

Could be H2S
Hydrogen sulfide. If you say it turns gray take a clamp and smell it if you can small rotten egg then it is h2s.
May be combination of factors like over feeding, lack of or inadequate water flow, graine size is small therefore packed, no worms to clean up the sand etc.
One more reason to go BB (Bare Bottom).

Whatigot · #5 10-17-2008, 07:58 PM

I'm sure you've seen this in the reference library, but just in case you hadn't...
could still be a possibility depending on your water changing regime and filtration.

http://web.archive.org/web/200107220...=&RecordNo=181

marie · #6 10-17-2008, 08:41 PM

It looks to me like a case of not enough sand bed critters. If you could get a cup of live sand from someone it would help. Cerith snails are also good at cleaning that stuff up but you need lots.
It would also be good to remove any predators for awhile like shrimp, crabs and any fish that eat pods and worms.

PoonTang · #7 10-17-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whatigot

I'm sure you've seen this in the reference library, but just in case you hadn't...
could still be a possibility depending on your water changing regime and filtration.

http://web.archive.org/web/200107220...=&RecordNo=181

Yes i saw this already and although it sounds the same as what I have he offers no solution.