Emergency question!
- Thread starter dapak83
- Start date
autofreak44
Active Member
it may cause spikes if its a small tank, keep an eye on the levels and if they do spike do some water changes till they are down. also get another power head in there asap, just keep things flowing.
1journeyman
Active Member
It could cause a spike if your sand bed was an improper depth and not healthy. Otherwise you will be fine.
1journeyman
Active Member
2-4 inches is a bad depth for sand. Too deep for good critter cleaning, and too shallow for anearobic bacteria.
A healthy sand bed has good surface current to discourage detritus buildup and lots of critters (macro and micro) to keep it stirred and cleaned.
Sand shifting creatures like many gobies can eat your beneficial critters.
A healthy sand bed has good surface current to discourage detritus buildup and lots of critters (macro and micro) to keep it stirred and cleaned.
Sand shifting creatures like many gobies can eat your beneficial critters.
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anmldr
Guest
What would a good sand depth be. I thought dsb - 4-5 inches and shallow was around 2 inches..
1journeyman
Active Member
Shallow: less than 2, many say less than 1.
Deep: some will say over 3, most agree more than 4.
Deep: some will say over 3, most agree more than 4.
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anmldr
Guest
so 2 inches would be too shallow to harbor a lot of nitrates, but is too shallow for anaerobic bact? If this is true then he shouldn't have a nitrate spike... Please correct me if I am wrong (still learning).
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by anmldr
so 2 inches would be too shallow to harbor a lot of nitrates, but is too shallow for anaerobic bact? If this is true then he shouldn't have a nitrate spike... Please correct me if I am wrong (still learning).
Should be true.
It depends a lot on the condition of the sand though. When the pump stirred it up did you see a lot of junk? Does the sand look clean?
so 2 inches would be too shallow to harbor a lot of nitrates, but is too shallow for anaerobic bact? If this is true then he shouldn't have a nitrate spike... Please correct me if I am wrong (still learning).
Should be true.
It depends a lot on the condition of the sand though. When the pump stirred it up did you see a lot of junk? Does the sand look clean?
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anmldr
Guest
should be ok then from my understand of Journey's explanation and since your sand looks clean. I would still monitor chemistrys though imo. Oh, and get another pump :jumping:
1journeyman
Active Member
Sounds like you'll be fine.
Powerheads have a tendency to do this. Try tying off the power cord so that they cannot get enough slack to fall.
As mentioned, test your water.
Try taking the powerhead a part and soaking in water and vinegar. It might very well work after you clean it thoroughly.
Powerheads have a tendency to do this. Try tying off the power cord so that they cannot get enough slack to fall.
As mentioned, test your water.
Try taking the powerhead a part and soaking in water and vinegar. It might very well work after you clean it thoroughly.
