Sand is getting hard...

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I'm already calcifying my sand in the new tank! I had to go in and crush up all the sand that was starting to get hard.

Is this because I'm adding too much 2 part at one time in not enough flow?

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I'm already calcifying my sand in the new tank! I had to go in and crush up all the sand that was starting to get hard.

Is this because I'm adding too much 2 part at one time in not enough flow?

I have only ever seen that happen on tanks without enough flow...

 

[nemo1017]

How does your chemistry check out?

 

[Bayinaung]

I've heard of this and I have a similar issue, from lack of pests. Apparently it's an issue with bacteria secreting "glycocalyx" that makes sand clump together. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20669238&postcount=12"

 

[Coastie Reefer]

It may have something to do with the water not soaking into the sand. I hear that can even make your water level a little off. JK

 

[GXPKY]

On the other hand detritus won't get into it haha

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm already calcifying my sand in the new tank! I had to go in and crush up all the sand that was starting to get hard.

Is this because I'm adding too much 2 part at one time in not enough flow?

It's not entirely clear why this happens and happens more in newer tanks, but I suspect it is because things that get onto growing calcium carboante surfaces and block further growth are not as high yet. Organics and phosphate, for example.

Lower pH, lower alk, and higher magnesium may reduce it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've heard of this and I have a similar issue, from lack of pests. Apparently it's an issue with bacteria secreting "glycocalyx" that makes sand clump together. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20669238&postcount=12"

Maybe. I don't think that's proven.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks everyone. My Mag is 1100 and I started raising it a little last night. I also upped the flow to see if that helped.

 

[ahiggins]

My brother had the fine fine sand in his tank and I noticed the same exact thing when I went to siphon it the other day.

 

[GoVols]

I had it happen once when I over dosed Seachem "Reef Advantage Cal" and "Reef Builder Alk" powders.
Dosed 5 times more than Seachem's max. Daily dose

Precipt. everywhere. I had to scrape all the glass and give all my pumps vinegar baths too.

It also turned my sand really hard and I was breaking it up as well.

The one good thing was that when I went BB later on and slowly pulled out the sand. All the sand that was under the base rock had fused to the base rock like one piece. So at least I know my base rock does not move because it's flatted out to the fused on sand .

It's been that way for so long that coralline has over taken the fused on sand and you can't tell the rock from the sand anymore.

As Randy stated above it can happen and all that precipt. may have caused the perfect chemical storm. I was breaking up sand in a hours time but I never broke up the sand under the base rock.

 

[Scurvy]

Carbon dosing at all? NoPox or the like? I've read this can happen and I saw it in my tank before I started dosing the big 3.

 

[Bayinaung]

My mag's at 1400. Alk is at 8.3. Used to carbon dose but not anymore as I need more nutrients.

 

[Brent925]

I’d recommend a sand sifting goby or two. I have very white fine sand. These guys keep the sand in perfect condition.

I also have a bunch of Nassarius snails which also helps.

 

[GoVols]

Love to watch those Diamond Golby's do their thing. Make sure you got a closed hood or screen top.
Their jumpers