Sand deteriorating

[PComo]

Possible stupid question...

Can sand actually break down into finer particles over time that will not settle out of the water column.

Reason for asking..

Recently added a diamond goby to help with sand sifting. He's doing an unbelievable job by the way but its creating cloudy water due to tiny fine particles in the water, looks like sand but smaller, like dust. Parameters are in check. Could this be decaying detritus that is just now being stirred or is it possible for the sand to be breaking down and needs to be replaced. Water passes through a 50 micron pad on a drip plate which doesnt seem to help much. For now i am going to add a filter sock to my drain and wait it out. Any input is appreciated as always.

 

[masterswimmer]

Is this a reef tank or a FOWLR tank? Using a drip plate on a reef tank is not adviseable. If it's fish only, it should be ok.

How old is your sandbed that you're noticing this 'breakdown' now? How much flow do you have in the tank? The goby is doing his engineering job. If you have high flow, it might just be picking up the sand particles and blowing them around. The reason you might be noticing them is because the larger particles are probably weighted and the finer particles are just the right 'bouyancy' with the proper flow to be seen blowing around. Just a thought.

swimmer

 

[PComo]

Its a reef. What are disadvantages of a drip plate on a reef? I dont think its the flow bc particles remain suspended even if i were to shut pumps off for a little while.

 

[PComo]

Ive had the tank for about 3 years, however purchased the setup as an already running tank with sand, rock, and livestock i believe it was running for 3-4 years prior. so a total of 6 or 7 years

 

[masterswimmer]

A drip plate is an external way to collect detritus. Bio-balls and LR also collect detritus. However LR is submerged and allows the breakdown of the detritus to happen naturally. Bio-balls, as long as they are completely submerged will do the same thing. However, having the drip plate collect detritus in the air (not submerged) will create an overabundance of nitrates. Most reefers do not use drip plates anymore. Your statement that this system is about 6 or 7 years old is a red flag to the changing philosophies on successful reefkeeping. Drip plates are 'old school'.

As far as your sandbed is concerned, there are lots of reports that aging sandbeds will crash. They need to be maintained in order to keep them healthy. One way is to keep sand sifting critters in the tank to keep it oxygenated. Remove and replace SMALL sections of the sandbed at a time to regenerate it.

swimmer

 

[PComo]

OK sounds like i will be modifying my sump, maybe i can finally incorporate the refugium ive been putting off too. As far as the sand goes i think im going to try and temporarily increase flow and mechanical filtration for a few days to see if the water clarty improves.

 

[masterswimmer]

If you're seeing a yellowish tinge to your water, try running carbon aggressively. Should polish your water just right.

Russ

 

[PComo]

Its definately not yellowish, its suspended particles, i currently run chemi pure. Its suspended particles possibly some microbubbles mixed with some sand or other debris

 

[masterswimmer]

Do you run a filter sock? That is a godsend when looking to remove suspended particles.

swimmer

 

[PComo]

The filter sock is working pretty nicely. It actually backed up and caused my drain to overflow a bit, but no harm done. I just got home from work cleaned out sock and put it back in. Time will tell, I'll keep you posted

 

[PComo]

Tank is ALOT quieter w/out the drip plate too

 

[leoskee]

So basically you have a 6 to 7 year old sandbed. You might just have a sandbed full of detritus that has accumulated over the years. Try to syphon some of the sand with a syphon kit. This should remove any sediments in the sand and you will be able to tell if your sand is dirty or if its clean.

My bet is your sandbed is full of detritus. How are your nitrates?

 

[PComo]

Nitrates uner 10. Filter socks keep clogging up and spewing water from the neck of the sock. my brother actually shut the sump down for a few hours till i got home from work and i came home to a cloud in the tank. This goby is really mixing things up in there. I will do a major water change this weekend.

 

[PComo]

Its definately fine sand particles suspended in the water, i can feel it when i clean out the filter socks and its all over my rock and glass. Why is this happening?? Its getting better slowly-very slowly. Would a diatom filter help?