Got A Question About Sand

[Akasha72]

Hi all,

As a few of you will know I recently changed my tank to sand substrate for my corydoras. I've been having quite a bit of trouble with the water ever since (PH had dropped off the bottom of the scale and I'm getting readings for ammonia too)

I decided that the sand was too deep and I'd drop it's level a bit to see if it would help the water problems.

Sunday is maintenace day and whilst changing 50% water I stuck my pipe right into the sand to suck out some more ... then I saw all these bubbles coming up ... so I did it again elsewhere and it happened again.

Now, I remember reading somewhere on here that sand collects some kind of gas and it needs to be airiated. I have trumpet snails in the tank and I understood they'd be doing this for me.

What I want to know is what were the bubbles that came out of the sand? Are they harmful to my fish and are they to blame for any of the water issues.

Basicly I'm back to the novice days with the substrate as I know virtually nothing about sand beyond the fact that Argos play sand (which is what it is) is fine to use in aquariums.

Please can someone with experience of sand tell me all I need to know about it as I don't want any harm to come to the fish because of my own ignorance.

Thanks very much

Akasha

 

[MegaZerino]

The gas takes quite a while to build up, when you put sand in it usually has air bubbles anyway that over a few days disappear, maybe because yours is so deep it took a little longer. Ive always found sand easier to keep the water clean with, because if you have good water flow the fish waste gets pushed along it easily and into the filter. How is your flow? and do you have any deadspots?

 

[Akasha72]

the filter is the one that came with the tank (it's a juwel so it's a box in the corner with the filter and sponges inside) I have quite a few dead spots unfortunately. I'm gravel vac-ing daily and also picking up bits of poo with my turkey baster.

It's now about 2-3 inches deep at the back down to 1-2 inches at the front. I may still take out more yet

 

[MegaZerino]

2 - 3 inches is totally fine, thats roughly what mine is. I have the box filter as well, but also an external fluval 105. To remove the deadspots you should either get smoe power heads or invest in an external filter.

 

[Akasha72]

yeah, I am considering adding an external it's just the cost that's holding me back at the moment.

 

[brian1]

I just left my tank running for a week with no fish, it took about 3 days to clear but after that it was fine, then I started the cycle.......

 

[Akasha72]

UPDATE:

So today I went back to my lfs as my PH is still off the bottom of the scale. We had a good chat again about various ways to bring it back up to it's normal 6.8 - 7 reading

They showed me some rocks that can bring up PH but they were too rough to go in a tank with cories so I asked if they had anything else that was a bit softer. I've now got a small piece of coral rock that was already sat in a tank with some guppies. It was covered in algae (extra food for oto's and snails then!) so I knew it had been in there a while. They said it had brought the PH of that tank up by 1 so by adding it to my tank it should bring my reading of 6 back up to 7.

I thought I'd post it here so anyone else having PH trouble may also have a natural solution

Here's a pic of the rock. I love it, I think it's cute and the cories have already had a shuffle through the holes

I'll be checking my PH before bed and then again in the morning to see if there is any change. I'll post the results

 

[Akasha72]

coral has been in the tank about 3 hours so just checked the PH - no change. Which is good as I don't want a swing in PH too quickly.

I'll check it again in a couple of hours or so

 

[Akasha72]

Still no change in PH.

Today I'm removing the 2nd piece (the smaller flat bit) of bogwood. It's getting on my nerves. Bits of cory pellet goes under it and starts going furry if I don't spot it quick enough and I'm sick of it. We shall see if it helps the PH by removing it

 

[Akasha72]

okay, still no change to the PH.

I think I need help now.

Can anyone offer any further advice?

 

[raptorrex]

okay, still no change to the PH.

I think I need help now.

Can anyone offer any further advice?

ouch, truth is, you cant. well not with any stability, anyway.

the only real way it to mix your water from RO then add a propitiatory pack of minerals.

water has a horrible talent for returning to its "original" stats. in effect, it buffers itself.

the advice most often given here is, "keep fish that suite your water type".

 

[MegaZerino]

Maybe your tap water has a high pH? Mine does, so i have to use a buffer everytime i do a water change to lower the harness and the ph

 

[Akasha72]

okay, I'm now completely and utterly confused about this situation. And it looks like I'm confusing you guys aswell (sorry)

My tap water is soft and acidic with a PH of 6.8-7.0. My fry tank has the old pebble substrate and the PH is a steady 6.8-7.0 (no problems there then)

My Main tank is the one with the problems.

It's PH has dropped from 6.8-7.0 to 6 since changing to sand. My apple snail has had to be re-homed in the fry tank which isn't really ideal for him as it's only 18 inches in width and 10 inched deep and high - not really large enough for a large snail.

I've just driven about 15/20 mile to Maidenhead Aquatics at York to ask for their help with this and I've come home even more confused.

They say the small bit of coral rock is possibly the worse idea in the entire world and to remove it and chuck it away the minute I got home It's still in there cos I like it ...
They say that a PH of 6 isn't a problem for the stock that I have as the cories and oto's will be loving it and the platies shouldn't be affected - if they were going to be affected they'd be showing signs of illness by now not looking happy and well as they are.

So. Many. Mixed. Messages.


Right now, the only thing I can do is keep testing the PH daily, watch the fish for signs of ill health and leave things as they are.
At present the coral ain't harming anyone sitting there. It may buffer my water a little eventually but unless it makes my fish poorly it's staying put

Thanks for trying to help guys

 

[raptorrex]

Maybe your tap water has a high pH? Mine does, so i have to use a buffer everytime i do a water change to lower the harness and the ph

humm, if only that worked. lol.

dont be confused, OP, do a forum search on this subject. and/or drop a pm, to bignose. he will outline how it REALLY works.

 

[Akasha72]

thanks raptorrex