sand help

[lesa]

My sisters 30 gallon fowlr tank, sand is lumpy and ideas why? she put agonite sand in there her tank has been up and running since 1999. She had a sand sifting star but it died. She checked her water everything is fine. So why is the sand lumpy??

 

[nm reef]

I've read several articles on the subject and the information I've seen indicates a lack of micro fauna to keep the sand airated can cause this to happen. With out pods/worms etc to work in the sand bed problems occur. Plus the sandsifter likely seriously depleted the micro fauna that in turn contributed to the problem.I'd suggest a research for additional info...lots of ideas out there but most likely it is due to a lack of micro fauna.

 

[thomas712]

I can agree with what NM says but will also add that if your chemistry is off with regards to calcium and alkalinity this could be a problem as well. The C++ calcium ions are positively charged and can attach themselves to negitively charged particals in the sand bed. If you have ever seen the calcium deposits on a powerhead or othe pump then that is what is kinda happening to your sand bed.
Thomas

 

[lesa]

What does calcium deposit's look like? White crusty things?
Should she take out the sand, or reseed with live sand?
Please help.
Thank you
Lesa

 

[lesa]

Can anyone anwser my last question?
Thanks
Lesa

 

[thomas712]

Originally posted by lesa
What does calcium deposit's look like? White crusty things?
Should she take out the sand, or reseed with live sand?

The calcium deposits would look almost like an off white egg shell color closer to a light tan.
About taking her sand out and or reseeding. All depends on how bad it is.
If the sand has made a crust on top then there could be several areas that now have anoxic problems that could have hydrogen sulfide in them. Releasing this into the water colum could be a bad thing.
Otherwise you could slowley try to break upt the surface of the sand, test an area to see just how bad it is and only do a little at a time.
Thomas

 

[bang guy]

Lumpy sand is usually bacterial deposits caused by a dead sand bed as NM mentioned. I would remove all the lumps and refil with high quality LIVE sand. Sand gathered from the sea floor contains the critters needed. You need the bugs & worms to keep the bed healthy.