Bubbles in sand

[ahmed.aljanabi]

Hi everyone

I recently noticed bubbles in the sand in the tank, although the nitrates are 10ppm and the phosphates are 0

 

[tbrown]

Phosphates should be detectable or you could start running into problems with Dinos.

The bubbles are likely gas from anaerobic bacteria populating the sand.

 

[ahmed.aljanabi]

It appeared on and disappeared after a while. I used Brightol products to raise PO4 and NO3, but it did not work. Then I used Seachem products. My NO3 level increased, only PO4 is still 0.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Might be O2 from algae

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

My tank gets these too, along with a reddish brown film (present even when the top of the substrate is clean). I’m six months in with measurable nitrate and phosphate, and only 1-2” of sand. Is this just a normal thing that needs cleaning up occasionally?

 

[FishLvR]

What is this substrate? It like contrasoil.

 

[tbrown]

What is this substrate? It like contrasoil.

I was thinking oolite.

 

[FishLvR]

I was thinking oolite.

Is that what it looks like up close. Man I though it was more like sand. Huh it's sort of fun.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s much larger than the natural oolotic aragonite that came in Southdown play sand years ago.

 

[FishLvR]

Dude its so odd. I noticed it right off, but I sort of like it.

 

[ahmed.aljanabi]

This is my sand from aqua medic

 

[FishLvR]

LIME! Duh.