Bubbles from below.

Discussion in 'Sand' started by missionsix, Jan 6, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 2
  1. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    5,734
    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    My question is regarding nitrogen release from the sandbed. The info I am finding through a search here and on the web mainly discuss these "bubbles" in a cycling tank. My tank is turning 2years in a week. As of yesterday, I started to see larger nitrogen bubble rise to the surface. Today they are joined by some much smaller micro bubbles. I understand that these bubbles are good but, I am curious why "all of the sudden"?
    My sand bed is between 2 and 2-1/2" throughout.
     
    missionsix, Jan 6, 2009
    missionsix, Jan 6, 2009
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. bmshehan

    bmshehan Fu Manchu Lion Fish

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,904
    Location:
    Columbus, Indiana
    Suscribed. I have some also and my tank is over a year old now. Looking forward to some good info hopefully!
     
    bmshehan, Jan 6, 2009
    bmshehan, Jan 6, 2009
    #2
  3. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2007
    Messages:
    7,933
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I think that it has to do with the tank(sand) getting mature and/or you guys not cleaning out your sandbed when performing a WC. A sand shifting star also helps in this topic. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Jan 6, 2009
    lunatik_69, Jan 6, 2009
    #3
  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2008
    Messages:
    5,736
    Location:
    Wilmington, DE
    could it potentially hydrogen sulfide? I know its not likely in a shallow sand bed like yours, but if the bed is not stirred, pockets of organic material may decay, then rise.
     
    GuitarMan89, Jan 6, 2009
    GuitarMan89, Jan 6, 2009
    #4
  5. bmshehan

    bmshehan Fu Manchu Lion Fish

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,904
    Location:
    Columbus, Indiana
    I have about 40+ nassarius snails if not 80+ that should move my sand around quite a bit
     
    bmshehan, Jan 6, 2009
    bmshehan, Jan 6, 2009
    #5
  6. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    5,734
    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    I have about 5 nassarius and a conch snail.
     
    missionsix, Jan 6, 2009
    missionsix, Jan 6, 2009
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,111
    Location:
    Earth
    I have 3 fighting conch, 4 nassarius in my 30g that keep the sand stirred up fairly well. Another 20+ assorted trochus, margarita, turbo, cerith, planaxis, limpets, etc. for cleanup.
     
    ZachB, Jan 6, 2009
    ZachB, Jan 6, 2009
    #7
  8. Froc3

    Froc3 Fire Goby

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2007
    Messages:
    1,318
    Location:
    Saskatoon, Sk
    lol i know this sounds dumb, but I have a pic somewhere... I once had a pod colony build what looked similar to an ant hill up against the front glass - complete with tunnels and small rooms... hundreds of pods in it.. when the conch rolled over it one day a bunch of bubbles floated to the top. Just at thought outside the box, i personally think it's probably some sort of build up of some kind simply getting to a release point.
     
    Froc3, Jan 6, 2009
    Froc3, Jan 6, 2009
    #8
  9. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    5,734
    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    Bump.......;D
     
    missionsix, Jan 7, 2009
    missionsix, Jan 7, 2009
    #9
  10. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Messages:
    4,860
    Location:
    Wonderland
    Casey,
    I am more inclined to thinking that those are oxygen bubbles as a result from the infauna in your sediment and its photosynthesis process. Lighting, amount of dissolved carbon dioxide, amount of living organisms in your sediment, water flow and other water parameter factors can influence these bubbles. Algae can also play out in the influx and amount of bubbles found in the benthic areas of your aquarium.
    As for it being hydrogen sulfide gas being released, I am willing to believe that this is not the case as only evident in a deep sand bed will you encounter trace metals that will be broken down through chemical reactions and bacteria into hydrogen sulfide which will form a grey color to your sediment layer.
    Even if these are nitrogen gas as a result of denitrifying bacteria in anaerobic zones, it is harmless and can be removed by bottom dwellers.
     
    coral reefer, Jan 7, 2009
    coral reefer, Jan 7, 2009
    #10
    1 person likes this.
Page 1 of 2