demariners
Work In Progress
Not sure why but I noticed that my substrate is becoming clumped and even solid at the bottom that I can not even run my hands through it. Any ideas what is causing this and how to fix it. Thank you.
Rocks/Sand Are clumping together and becoming solid
- Thread starter demariners
- Start date
The things that usually cause sand clumping are:
1. new sand/aquarium
2. High pH, usually from limewater (kalkwasser)
3. excessive calcium and alkalinity, and perhaps low magnesium
The clumping may be direct precipitation of calcium carbonate between grains, or it may be a bacterially driven process.
1. new sand/aquarium
2. High pH, usually from limewater (kalkwasser)
3. excessive calcium and alkalinity, and perhaps low magnesium
The clumping may be direct precipitation of calcium carbonate between grains, or it may be a bacterially driven process.
demariners
Work In Progress
The tank is about a year old or so. Eitherway I do use kalkwasser and my pH is now stable between 8.2-8.4. I check calcium and alk weekly and they are pretty good at 400 ppm/9 dkh and mag is usually between 1250-1400. How can I fix this? Should I do a calcium reactor instead of kalkwasser?
The problem often goes away, but the solid clumps that have already formed usually don't break apart.
A two part could be a reasonable alternative, as is a CaCO3/CO2 reactor, but few people stop limewater for this reason. I use it without such issues, except when I first set up the tank.
demariners
Work In Progress
Well I have been able to stabilize my ph at about 8.2-8.3 daily now. So I am hoping this will be the fix. I was going to remove all the solid pieces and replace them but I wanted to make sure this will not happen again. I am hoping the clumps break away on their own. I really am not sure a calcium reactor would be a fix for me due to the price and the need for one. I only have a couple clams and anemones.
