problem with sand

Discussion in 'Sand' started by kurens, May 3, 2011.

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  1. kurens

    kurens Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
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    60
    Location:
    Illinois
    hey guys.
    got my tank cycling over 2 weeks now but i got this black spots on my dry sand,what is it?and yes its smell like "rotten eggs" when i moved it:(
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    kurens, May 3, 2011
    kurens, May 3, 2011
    #1

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  2. Zoanthids21

    Zoanthids21 McKoscker’s Flasher Wrasse

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    Charlotte, NC
    Most likely just some bacteria forming under the sandbed.
     
    Zoanthids21, May 3, 2011
    Zoanthids21, May 3, 2011
    #2
  3. ReefPlayground

    ReefPlayground 3reef Sponsor

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    Los Angeles, California
    Looks fine to me. Your sand is AAALLIIIVEEEE!! ;p
     
    ReefPlayground, May 3, 2011
    ReefPlayground, May 3, 2011
    #3
  4. kurens

    kurens Astrea Snail

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    Location:
    Illinois
    thanks guys
     
    kurens, May 3, 2011
    kurens, May 3, 2011
    #4
  5. bvb-etf-luva

    bvb-etf-luva Banned

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    denver
    just as stated your sand is becoming live sand which is a good sign your tank is well established
     
    bvb-etf-luva, May 3, 2011
    bvb-etf-luva, May 3, 2011
    #5
  6. ezz1r

    ezz1r Feather Star

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    Florida
    I had some thing similar happen and actually saw a large slug i had placed in the tank cause the stain but it cleared up after i moved the sand around a bit.


    E
     
    ezz1r, May 3, 2011
    ezz1r, May 3, 2011
    #6

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  7. kurens

    kurens Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Illinois
    hey guys,it's been almost 4 weeks now and things not looking any better,should i be concerned?isnt it Hydrogen Sulfide?
     
    kurens, May 10, 2011
    kurens, May 10, 2011
    #7
  8. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    Yes, the "rotten egg" smell is hydrogen-sulfide, which can be toxic in larger amounts. It is also usually a green-black when you see the sand. This normally occurs in sandbeds when they are not being turned over normally - by cuc/micro-fauna.

    I would do any of these or a combination of a few:

    -add to your cuc
    -remove some of the sand so your cuc can get through the sand to turn it over
    -syphon sand to mix up/clean weekly
    -don't stir up at all - leave it be how it is.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2011
    Seano Hermano, May 10, 2011
    Seano Hermano, May 10, 2011
    #8
  9. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    How deep(average) is your sand, Kurens?
     
    Seano Hermano, May 10, 2011
    Seano Hermano, May 10, 2011
    #9
  10. kurens

    kurens Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
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    60
    Location:
    Illinois
    hey Seano,sand is 2-3inches deep,i added last week jumbo nassarius snails to stir it up a little bit,hope it helps.thanks
     
    kurens, May 10, 2011
    kurens, May 10, 2011
    #10
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