things in sand?
- Thread starter fishman77
- Start date
shoreliner11
Active Member
Basically its trapped nutrients in the sand bed. These nutrients help feed algae where it meets the glass. The bubbles are most likely oxygen being given off by algae. Its not exactly a bad thing but just shows that the sand bed has nutrients in it, which all do. If someone wants to elaborate feel free.
T
thomas712
Guest
Maybe......It could also be nitrogenous gases when the anerobic bacteria convert the nitrogen compounds into gas.
T
tuningvis
Guest
heres a pic i just took from my tank
same thing as fishman
same thing as fishman
areijin
Member
I think we have the same deal. BUT we both need more people to figure out if for sure it is a good thing (like live sand) or a bad thing. I have the bubbles too. Take a look at my Thread Fishman77 under AREIJIN: IS this Live Sand of Algea Sand???
Sorry but I don't know how to make a link to it.
Sorry but I don't know how to make a link to it.
shoreliner11
Active Member
I agree that it could be like Thomas said, nitrogen gas but, ime I've noticed many people to have them near the top of the sandbed most likely being fed by algae. Wouldn't the bubbles start lower if it were the nitrogenous gases being released by the anaerobic bacteria? Or do you think it starts to collect in big enough bubbles at the top?
fishman77
Member
well yes my bubbles come up slowly from my sand and then i sometimes see them float to the top once they reach the surface.i also see a couple laying on the sandbed.
yea AREIJIN my sand is like crisp and white it doesnt have any of the color on top just near the glass meets the sand.i mean ive seen many nice reef tanks and they have this stuff under the the sand.
yea AREIJIN my sand is like crisp and white it doesnt have any of the color on top just near the glass meets the sand.i mean ive seen many nice reef tanks and they have this stuff under the the sand.
bang guy
Moderator
Here's some comparisons from a sand experiment I did:
This is not very good live sand:
It has very few worm tracks and the bubbles are stuck in the sand because there aren't enough animals to move them around.
This isn't much better:
It has enough microfauna to keep the water and bubbles flowing through the sand but not enough of the larger critters to clean the detritus off the surface.
This is good live sand IMO:
The detritus is kept off the surface of the sand and the bubbles are kept moving through the sand meaning that the water is also flowing to the sand depths.
This is not very good live sand:
It has very few worm tracks and the bubbles are stuck in the sand because there aren't enough animals to move them around.
This isn't much better:
It has enough microfauna to keep the water and bubbles flowing through the sand but not enough of the larger critters to clean the detritus off the surface.
This is good live sand IMO:
The detritus is kept off the surface of the sand and the bubbles are kept moving through the sand meaning that the water is also flowing to the sand depths.
bang guy
Moderator
Nassarius will clean up carrion and Cerith Snails will help with detritus but that's all the good they do for sand beds. Their digging is actually slightly harmful.
The animals that actually perform the miracle of moving the water and nitrogen through the sand grains are nearly microscopic.
The way to get more activity is:
1 - Just let your sand bed mature more.
2 - remove all predators like Hermits, sandsifting starfish and sandsifting fish.
3 - maintain diversity by regularly buying new good live sand or swapping sand with other hobbiests (who also have good sand).
4 - avoid disturbing the sand bed, especially the surface.
The animals that actually perform the miracle of moving the water and nitrogen through the sand grains are nearly microscopic.
The way to get more activity is:
1 - Just let your sand bed mature more.
2 - remove all predators like Hermits, sandsifting starfish and sandsifting fish.
3 - maintain diversity by regularly buying new good live sand or swapping sand with other hobbiests (who also have good sand).
4 - avoid disturbing the sand bed, especially the surface.
areijin
Member
I'm suprised to hear that crabs are bad. What do you use instead of crads to clean all the other hard-for-a-snail-to-reach-places? I can't have Shrimp right now since my Green Brittle Star makes sushi out of them.
I do need more cleanup crew in my refigium/sump. That is where I have the Caulerpa taxifolia you pointed out BangGuy. It is also where I have that bit of Hair Algea. Should I move them there? I know I have a very thriving Mantys Shrimp colony there in my refigium. I don'tr want teh crad to eat them.
Better yet if I can put the crabs there then what do I get to eat the Hair Algea without eating my Mantys Shrimp?
Sorry. So many question but I love learning about this stuff and your pretty well informed.
I do need more cleanup crew in my refigium/sump. That is where I have the Caulerpa taxifolia you pointed out BangGuy. It is also where I have that bit of Hair Algea. Should I move them there? I know I have a very thriving Mantys Shrimp colony there in my refigium. I don'tr want teh crad to eat them.
Better yet if I can put the crabs there then what do I get to eat the Hair Algea without eating my Mantys Shrimp?
Sorry. So many question but I love learning about this stuff and your pretty well informed.