My Live Sand gets hard as a rock.
- Thread starter cam78
- Start date
meowzer
Moderator
I had an issue similar to this a while back....not rock hard, BUT the sand was clumping in certain areas.....I had phosphate issues though
I added a phosphate reactor, new monster skimmer, adjusted some powerheads, and added some more sand sifters like nassarius snails......I also removed the clumps. Eventually it stopped doing this, but my phosphates also went down too
I added a phosphate reactor, new monster skimmer, adjusted some powerheads, and added some more sand sifters like nassarius snails......I also removed the clumps. Eventually it stopped doing this, but my phosphates also went down too
florida joe
Well-Known Member
ummm never mind meowzer already knows what i am thinking
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343205
The reason I asked about parameters is he's running a Ca Reactor, and it's highly possibly there's an issue with the reactor.....
That's my assumption as well.
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343205
The reason I asked about parameters is he's running a Ca Reactor, and it's highly possibly there's an issue with the reactor.....
That's my assumption as well.
cam78
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343446
I would double check the reactor...It's possible it could be off....Do you test your Mag levels as well?
What do you mean it could be "off"? Meaning its producing to much calcium or magnesium? I checked Mag a while ago, I don't remember the numbers but they were right on. I also have a decent amount of Mangroves so I know how important Mag is. What is your thinking why it would be getting so hard and clumping together?
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343446
I would double check the reactor...It's possible it could be off....Do you test your Mag levels as well?
What do you mean it could be "off"? Meaning its producing to much calcium or magnesium? I checked Mag a while ago, I don't remember the numbers but they were right on. I also have a decent amount of Mangroves so I know how important Mag is. What is your thinking why it would be getting so hard and clumping together?
indy2009
Member
I just talked to my buddy about your tank..what type of substrate do you? How long has it been running? Have you changed your tanks over? How old is your sand? My buddy told me when he changed tanks his sand in some areas clumped up like rocks...don't know if that is the issue you have, if all your sand did that or just areas of it..I'm transferred my tanks several times never had a problem.
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAM78 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343485
What do you mean it could be "off"? Meaning its producing to much calcium or magnesium? I checked Mag a while ago, I don't remember the numbers but they were right on. I also have a decent amount of Mangroves so I know how important Mag is. What is your thinking why it would be getting so hard and clumping together?
What I was referring to you could have to readjust your reactor....I've seen where the solenoid can stick and cause problems, but I had the same issue in my 240 when I had set the tank up and it was due to precipitation.....and my Mag level was low. I'm thinking the issue is precipitation. Just double check your bubble counter and make sure your settings are correct....
Originally Posted by CAM78 http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343485
What do you mean it could be "off"? Meaning its producing to much calcium or magnesium? I checked Mag a while ago, I don't remember the numbers but they were right on. I also have a decent amount of Mangroves so I know how important Mag is. What is your thinking why it would be getting so hard and clumping together?
What I was referring to you could have to readjust your reactor....I've seen where the solenoid can stick and cause problems, but I had the same issue in my 240 when I had set the tank up and it was due to precipitation.....and my Mag level was low. I'm thinking the issue is precipitation. Just double check your bubble counter and make sure your settings are correct....
cam78
Active Member
The tank has been set up since July. Its a 120 display, 55 Refuge (with Live sand and chaeto) a 30 gallon Live Rock tank and a large sump, prob about 30-40 gallons. The refuge because there is nothing turning the sand up has become almost a crust layer on top. When you break the layer it creates a shelf like piece clumped together. In display I have or had (died yesterday) a diamond goby. There are chunks of sand though which are hard as a rock which happened before he was introduced into the tank.
bang guy
Moderator
Sand will bind up for two reasons:
1 - Populations of sand bed infauna have been depleted and the sand is no longer live. This can happen if there are sand bed predators such as sifting starfish, hermit crabs, or sand sifting gobies. Without the sand bed infauna the sand will clump together from the bacteria binding the grains together. I know of no good way to correct the existing sand. The solution is to remove all of the clumped sand and replace it with live sand to replensish the sand bed animals and then remove all of the predators.
2 - A combination of high PH, high Calcium, and High Alkalinity has caused a precipitation event. This is very uncommon. The sand will eventually fix itself once the problem has been corrected.
The best way to know which of these is reason just take a piece of the clumped sand and soak it in a bleach solution. If it's calcium carbonate then nothing will happen. If it's bacteria clumping then the clump of sand will fall apart.
1 - Populations of sand bed infauna have been depleted and the sand is no longer live. This can happen if there are sand bed predators such as sifting starfish, hermit crabs, or sand sifting gobies. Without the sand bed infauna the sand will clump together from the bacteria binding the grains together. I know of no good way to correct the existing sand. The solution is to remove all of the clumped sand and replace it with live sand to replensish the sand bed animals and then remove all of the predators.
2 - A combination of high PH, high Calcium, and High Alkalinity has caused a precipitation event. This is very uncommon. The sand will eventually fix itself once the problem has been corrected.
The best way to know which of these is reason just take a piece of the clumped sand and soak it in a bleach solution. If it's calcium carbonate then nothing will happen. If it's bacteria clumping then the clump of sand will fall apart.
cam78
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343584
Sand will bind up for two reasons:
1 - Populations of sand bed infauna have been depleted and the sand is no longer live. This can happen if there are sand bed predators such as sifting starfish, hermit crabs, or sand sifting gobies. Without the sand bed infauna the sand will clump together from the bacteria binding the grains together. I know of no good way to correct the existing sand. The solution is to remove all of the clumped sand and replace it with live sand to replensish the sand bed animals and then remove all of the predators.
2 - A combination of high PH, high Calcium, and High Alkalinity has caused a precipitation event. This is very uncommon. The sand will eventually fix itself once the problem has been corrected.
The best way to know which of these is reason just take a piece of the clumped sand and soak it in a bleach solution. If it's calcium carbonate then nothing will happen. If it's bacteria clumping then the clump of sand will fall apart.
Wow Bang Guy Thanks!!!!!! I will try your bleach trick. How long will it take? I have a feeling it is calcium Carbonate. If it is does that mean my levels you speak of are too high?
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/382782/my-live-sand-gets-hard-as-a-rock#post_3343584
Sand will bind up for two reasons:
1 - Populations of sand bed infauna have been depleted and the sand is no longer live. This can happen if there are sand bed predators such as sifting starfish, hermit crabs, or sand sifting gobies. Without the sand bed infauna the sand will clump together from the bacteria binding the grains together. I know of no good way to correct the existing sand. The solution is to remove all of the clumped sand and replace it with live sand to replensish the sand bed animals and then remove all of the predators.
2 - A combination of high PH, high Calcium, and High Alkalinity has caused a precipitation event. This is very uncommon. The sand will eventually fix itself once the problem has been corrected.
The best way to know which of these is reason just take a piece of the clumped sand and soak it in a bleach solution. If it's calcium carbonate then nothing will happen. If it's bacteria clumping then the clump of sand will fall apart.
Wow Bang Guy Thanks!!!!!! I will try your bleach trick. How long will it take? I have a feeling it is calcium Carbonate. If it is does that mean my levels you speak of are too high?
cam78
Active Member
Yeah, I think this is gonna be the problem. My ProCal is a monster prob producing too much calcium and not having enough coral to suck it up. This is prob the problem. Im gonna have to lower it. Anyone fimilular with a ProCal? to reduce the calcium output am I lowering the bubble counter or the flow? Or Both?