what's in my sand?

briguy44 · Post by **briguy44** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:13 am

So I have had my FOWLR tank with my two GSPs up and running for a couple of weeks now. I have noticed while looking at the sand that is up against the glass that there is what looks like a mini ant colony with tiny tunnels weaving all through the substrate. So I am wondering is there is a specific type of bug that is doing this or is it just gas build up in the sand? Is it normal?

sevenyearnight · Post by **sevenyearnight** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:49 am

Pods!

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:27 am

All sorts of beneficial animals in there, helping to keep your sand & tank clean:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
Scroll down to the pics.

This is why we go SW!

geronimo69 · Post by **geronimo69** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:47 am

Try this link also... Has all types of hitchikers from sand and/or rocks.

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html

zookey · Post by **zookey** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:55 pm

Pufferpunk wrote:All sorts of beneficial animals in there, helping to keep your sand & tank clean:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
Scroll down to the pics.

This is why we go SW!

So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?

Sorry didn't mean to interrupt.

briguy44 · Post by **briguy44** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:20 pm

Well that's just great!

It is kind of a relief to hear that things are progressing normal with my SW tank.

So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?

Sorry didn't mean to interrupt.

I was wondering the same thing.....I am also wondering how I am supposed to get the sand bed stirred in all the little caves and nooks under the live rock?

c333davis · Post by **c333davis** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:33 pm

I'm a SW newbie, too, as of January, and I've had some similar experiences, one of which I just posted about yesterday: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=26385

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:58 pm

So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?

Absolutely not! Those creatures will slowly & safely release the bubbles themselves. You could add a bunch of nassarius snails to help with this.

geronimo69 · Post by **geronimo69** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:53 am

Pufferpunk wrote:
So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?
Absolutely not! Those creatures will slowly & safely release the bubbles themselves. You could add a bunch of nassarius snails to help with this.

Yeah, I agree with PP. Get some nessarius snails. They bury themselves int he sand and "pop" up when you feed the tank. It's awesome. I run a 3" sand bed in my 20 gallon marine tank. I've never stirred the sand once. Here's a bit of info on sand beds also...

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

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