Substrate clumping

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Marlin65

I take it you don't agree.

Well, yes and no. Kinda. The thing is, I don't think you need sand at all, and if you use it, is 2 inches bad where 4 inches is good? If so, why? If not, why not? Don't worry, we'll get our own thread going

[i have crabs]

is it loose clumping or hard clumping? loose clumping is usually from sticky biofilms from excess dissolved organics,hard clumps is usually calcium carbonate binding

[marie]

Originally Posted by i have crabs

is it loose clumping or hard clumping? loose clumping is usually from sticky biofilms from excess dissolved organics,hard clumps is usually calcium carbonate binding

Another good way to tell why its clumping is to put the clump into some bleach water, if it falls apart its excessive organics if vinegar is the only thing that breaks it apart its calcium

[littlesilvermax]

If it is precipitated calcium, then 10 bucks says your magnesium is less then 1300 ppm.

What are your calcium, alkalinity, and magneisum levels?

[untamed]

Are you using Kalk to support Ca/Alk? That clumping can easily occur with heavy Kalk dosing.

[littlesilvermax]

Originally Posted by untamed

Are you using Kalk to support Ca/Alk? That clumping can easily occur with heavy Kalk dosing.

Reasoning being:

-kalk spikes the ph which can make precipitation happen easier
-kalk use often leads to depleted magnesium levels

I would keep your magnesium at 1400ppm or so.

[martym]

Not adding kalk, but using a cal reactor. Cal=400, Alk= 11, don't know mag.
It breaks apart when taped but if just moved around it stays together, the tank has only been running for 2 months.