Sand is clumping?

[BlueExorcist]

Just recently setup my saltwater tank and about a week later the sand has started to clump up. Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it normal?

 

[najer]

Can you get us a pic under white lights please?

 

[BlueExorcist]

Can you get us a pic under white lights please?

Yes

 

[Arego]

How did you mix the first batch of saltwater and what kind of water did you use? Any additives suggested by your lfs/others that you may have put in with the new water, etc.

 

[outhouse]

It happens to me every time I start a new DSB, and does not take long before it turns my DSB into a rock for the top layer. Ive questioned everyone for 2 decades, and the best ive been told is its chemistry in my water that does it. No particular imbalance has been noted, and I post just like you have here every time it does just to get ideas. ive been told certain snails would help but in a 210 G tank what are we talking about 100-200 snails? After 28 year I may be moving and need to rebuild my DSB, needs to be done regardless, and I may just have to put in hundreds of snails.