substrate question (added pics)

randy123 · #1 10-05-2010, 05:35 PM

Update: Whatever it is on the sandbed looks light and flaky...asked caribsea customer support what it might be and they don't seem to know...

reefwars · #2 10-05-2010, 05:45 PM

Add some live rock it really helps clear things up.

randy123 · #3 10-05-2010, 06:36 PM

I do have a tiny bit of rock in there (20 lbs)...but I'm still not convinced the mystery substance is organic. I've decided to give it a few days and then I'f things are no better I will either try to bury it with good sand or try to siphon it out...

randy123 · #4 10-05-2010, 08:39 PM

randy123 · #5 10-21-2010, 07:52 PM

The best that Caribsea could figure is that there was "an excess of bacteria" in that batch of sand. They were really nice about it and sent me 140 lbs of new sand

Except I already got the problem licked with a 100% water change while stirring vigorously...so now I have 120 lbs of sand without a purpose...oh what to do...maybe start another tank

naesco · #6 10-05-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randy123

Update: Whatever it is on the sandbed looks light and flaky...asked caribsea customer support what it might be and they don't seem to know...

Other than salt did you add any other additive?
Flaky is not organic.

randy123 · #7 10-05-2010, 08:29 PM

No, just RO water mixed with IO salt...and the water clarifier

naesco · #8 10-06-2010, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randy123

No, just RO water mixed with IO salt...and the water clarifier

What water clarifier?

lastlight · #9 10-06-2010, 03:19 AM

As in some sort of flocculant?

Wouldn't you need a skimmer to make that method work?

reefwars · #10 10-06-2010, 03:31 AM

a hob filter will work also to help when using a water clarifier.

did you mix saltwater or did you add salt directly to the tank.if you add alot of salt at once some will bond to your sand and will take longer to dissolve than if it were added in smaller amounts and dissolving before it hits the bed.