Anaerobic Bacteria

[AquaTDV]

I have an established 8+ yr old mixed reef with a dynamic Oolitic aragonite sandbed. The depth varies from 1" to 3". Here is the potential problem, there is a 4"x5" area in the right rear corner that seems to have a regular buildup of anaerobic bacteria. Even when I siphon all the black sand out of the corner, in just a couple of months its back. It looks like a white bacteria is covering the sand and when you pull away the bacteria it will uncover the anaerobic black sand underneath. Problem is that if left uncheck the white bateria seems to spread. There also seems to be a correlation between the size of the anaerobic pocket and lack of color in some of my SPS corals... This could be due to the reduction of nitrates.

System Specs

240g display w/sump/macro fuge and seperate Xenia refugium

Nitrates Undetectable (Salifert)
Phosphates .006 (Hanna Phosphorus Kit)
PH 8.1

Question:

Should I continue to siphon out the anaerobic pocket or just let it grow? Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you

 

[ebording]

Is it possible to increase flow in the area? Adding more o2 to the zone should help. Worst comes to worst I would say just suck all the Sand out of the area and add a powerless there.

 

[swcc]

might be good to suck that sand out and replace.

 

[swcc]

to add good chance more thn just the corner should be sucked out. at some point the sand fills up with nutrients and bacteria and dense pockets of accumulation occcur such as what your getting. you probably just need a nice substrate replacement regime in play over the next few water changes.

 

[AquaTDV]

Thanks for the replies.

to add good chance more thn just the corner should be sucked out. at some point the sand fills up with nutrients and bacteria and dense pockets of accumulation occcur such as what your getting. you probably just need a nice substrate replacement regime in play over the next few water changes.

This exactly what happens.. I've been sucking out all of the sand in that corner and the detritus just finds its way back. Do you thing I should replace the sand, or give it a good cleaning then just put it back in the tank? I would really like to avoid a sand storm with new sugar sized sand.

Thank you