Sand depth

[Sean_Buckley]

In my 33 (36" long) gallon I have a sand substrate, and the depth varies from one side to the other. One side starts out with about 1.5" of sand, and stays that water for about 28", then slopes, until the deepest part of the sand is about 4". I did this so there was lots of substrate for my Vallis root system, which is huge. Will I have problems with anaerobic bacteria?
Sean

 

[Griz]

I don't subscribe to the "mysterious dangerous gasses" thing, but that's just me.

 

[Opcn]

Its H2S, in an anerobic environment decay builds up H2S which can poison any fish poor enought to come accross a pocket of it, fortunatly we as humans are very addept at detecting this gas in low concentrations and can find a problem often before it bothers the fish

 

[Teelie]

Plant roots and burrowing snails like Malyasian Trumpet Snails will keep the sand from compacting and allowing that to happen. What's more, Trumpets don't eat plants.

 

[Yenko]

Plant roots bring oxygen into the substrate which allows bacteria to oxidise the hydrogen sulfide, turning it into hydrogen gas and Sulfer Dioxide, both of which are harmless.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Well, the sand will be filled with Vallis roots. There's already 5 plants in the large part, and they're sending out runners.
Sean

 

[yvez9]

if you have life in it, it should be ok.
Vallis grow roots very well so it shouldn't be an issue.