Striated DSB Safe or Nightmare?

Clinton · Oct 7, 2017

Hope I don't wear this forum out with all my inquiries and posts. I've noticed over time my DSB has become striated with a yellowish brown tint, much like the diatoms looked like when it first cycled.
Tank Age: ~4.5mo
Tank size: 150g, plus ~45g more in sump
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
Calcium: 480ppm
PH: 8.2

As you can see my not so wise purchase of engineer gobies have made odd mountains throughout my display tank which is where my stripes are most common.

brandon429 · Oct 8, 2017

No action is required now that’s normal

A set of four people on the web are never going to agree on what to do with sandbeds lol, everything from leave it alone 15 years to stop having one or keep it clean

I’m on the latter side but this tank is large and new and needs nothing for a while. Preemptive cleaning and light stirring/siphoning of the top parts as preventative is most common nowadays

Brian R Miller · Oct 11, 2017

I would agree that it is completely normal. The only things I would add are if you do decide to clean deeper into the sand only do a small section at a time and DO NOT be one of those people that kill/remove every bristle worm on sight.

Clinton · Oct 11, 2017

Thank you guys, always good to have more opinions from experienced individuals.

tupes · Oct 11, 2017

in 7 years of my tank being setup, ive only cleaned my sand maybe 5-6 times. I also say leave it be, its ok

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 12, 2017

Interesting. Is that an aragonite sand? Did you add in layers ?

Clinton · Oct 12, 2017

It makes sense there would be a lot of colors considering the whole point of the DSB is more biodiversity. I can't wait to see more worms. My wife makes fun of me for getting so excited about every different pod I find lol