fighting sand clumping

[TekCat]

Aragonite sand could form clumps to to saltwater chemistry and bacterial growth. I wanted to hear your oppinions about wouldnt it going to make it harder to clump if aragonite sand was mixed with silica sand? Or am I on drugs (again) ?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Usually the clumping of aragonite sand is caused by excess calcium. The calcium is essentially making a concrete.

 

[TekCat]

yep, that's what I though,.... I am on drugs again

thanks Travis

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

No problem :lmao: :thumbsup:

 

[graveyardworm]

I posted this with Ron Shimek, but since we're on the subject I'd like to for you guys to take a shot. I have several tanks with a common sump, all of them have sand beds. In the 30 gal breeder the top layer of maybe 1/4 inch hardens up. It has a pinkish hue to it. Really the only difference between this tank and the others is lighting. Its the only one with T-5, 2 blue, and two 10k. I think its coralline growing on/in the sand. Never heard of this happening before. Any ideas or experiences with this?

 

[reef_doug]

Just a thought, do you have a sand sifting gobie. My orange spot diamond watchman is very good at keeping the sand clean and sifted. He's a neat fish too.

 

[daytonians]

I read a really good article resently that said excretions from the bacteria will glue that sand together turning it into solid concrete. It is not cause by calcium build up. That is why you need worms, pods, etc to keep it stirred.

I personally am against sand sifting gobys or stars, because they eat all the worms and stuff we want. I would go with nasarius snails. They only eat detrius, and they do stir the sand very well.