Hard Sand

[amanda46051]

What could be causing my sand to harden?

 

[snakeblitz33]

build up of detritus and other organic waste? Not enough sand sifting creatures. uhh... not enough flow causing organic materials to collect on the bottom and harden the sand bed...
Could be many things...

 

[fishfreek]

Alot of times when your calcium is too high it will make you sandbed hard. I'd say start there and test you calcium first.

 

[geoj]

You can siphon. If you are going to do a water change then use the siphon to clean the detritus from the sand bed and pull out some water.

 

[rldavisou]

I would guess calcium buildup, as well. I'm just not sure what could be causing it.
What does it feel like? Is it more of a crust, or is it hard the whole way through? Is your sand bed pure white or do you see noticable coraline growth? How old is your sand bed? Did you use name brand sand?