sandbed question

[MPISCIOTTI]

why is parts of my sand bed becoming hard like a rock? and what does this mean.. my alk is 9.6 cal 460 ph 8.0 nitrite 0 nitrate0

 

[krustycat]

As far as I know, aragonite is unlikely to fusing in clumps, but possible causes could be adding kalk too much or too fast and/or unstable levels of pH (specially dropping very low at night).
An stable pH in ranges 8.3-8.5 is recommended (I have to say I couldn't be able to mantain levels over 8.2)

 

[Spracklcat]

Could be bacteria too--they form biofilms which will bind grains of sand together. The films are surprisingly robust too--not just slime, but actual hard films like glue. Just a thought--may not be the reason.

Christine

 

[meschaefer]

I have moved my tank three times, and noticed each time that hte sand bed is fairly compacted.

 

[MPISCIOTTI]

well also my sand bed is over 5 years old . since im going to downgrade to a smaller tank within the next few weeks im going to go bare bottom..