Sand Bed Clumping

[Doug]

Andy, causes seem to range from the addition of 2-parts or kalk, {esp. precipitate}, being added to fast or large amounts, to

the natural secretion from the bacteria living in there. The suggested correction is not doing the above, {I assume thats not your problem however} and the correct amout of livestock in the sandbed to keep it turned over. I believe thats one of Rons first comments, when installing a sandbed.

Lots of worms are needed in the bed. Cucs as you have already. The various snails that exist in the sandbed, seem to be one of the most important. Lots of them and several conches seem to help. Sand sifting starfish and gobies also work, but will eat your sandbed fauna. Gobies can eat other foods, but the starfish usually starve to death, once they destroy the sandbeds life.

Depending on what you have already, the sanbed in that large tank could have at least 100, plus nassarius snails and several fighting conch. One must remember that nassasius snails do reqiure feeding though.