My sand is turning to soft stone ??

[cracker]

Ok , my sand is rocking up in a few spots. Is it biological or chemical ?

 

[Diesel]

Precipitation of calcium carbonate can harden sand and precipitate on GAC, especially if there is GFO.
Many of us have gotten it and there is often not a lot you can do.

 

[ZoWhat]

C a l c i f i c a t i o n

 

[mtraylor]

Post your parms

 

[cracker]

Parms, don't have a recent Ca results . This is a fish only at this time. Was trying to keep Alk up to at least 7.5 & dosing equal 1 & 2 prt. I stopped after seeing this .
No3 >3
Po4 o.o5
Alk 6.6
So it's chemical reaction? I thought I was watching out for this but missed this one area.
Thanks !

 

[Uhohhotdog]

Precipitation of calcium carbonate can harden sand and precipitate on GAC, especially if there is GFO.
Many of us have gotten it and there is often not a lot you can do.

Can you translate the abbreviations for the newbies

 

[cracker]

Sure !
No3 or Nitrates >3
Po4 or Phosphates 0.05
Alk or alkalinity 6.6
Iv'e read where calcification "could be from bacteria so was wondering. I realize there's not a lot I can do.( maybe bust it up as best as possible) I was dosing 50/60 mls ( millimeters) parts 1 & 2 in this 180 gl tank to ready it for a soft coral, then realized the sand was rocking up so stopped about a week ago. Iv'e been at this for a while now & it's always one thing or another. I really don't sweat it it any more,just want to understand.
How about You Hot dog ? How is Your setup going for You ?

 

[cracker]

Any Info on "Abiotic precipitation "

 

[Super Fly]

Can you translate the abbreviations for the newbies

I believe Calcification & precipitation means hardening/forming solids... can read more info here
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/3/chemistry#section-4

 

[LowLi]

i started noticing this recently too. is this bad?

 

[User]

Post your parms

I like chicken, but others are partial to meatball...

 

[ca1ore]

I suspect it's both chemical and biological. Although I do not routinely agitate my sand bed, I do occasionally break up any obvious agglomerations with a length of PVC used like a pestle. FWIW, sand burying wrasses are very useful in helping to prevent sandstone.

 

[saltyhog]

Agree with Ca1ore. I stir my sand regularly and don't have it as much since I started doing that. I do have several sand sleeping wrasses. Don't confuse their sleeping mucous cocoons for precipitation as they are very soft and dissolve on their own in a few days.

If you find them when they first start forming you can rub them in your hands and they will fall apart easily.

 

[Uhohhotdog]

I believe Calcification & precipitation means hardening/forming solids... can read more info here
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/3/chemistry#section-4

I said abbreviations. Referring to GAC and GFO

 

[Water Dog]

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO).

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Can you translate the abbreviations for the newbies

GAC=Granilated Active Carbon, removes some disolved wates, metals, colors, odders amd chlorine.
GFO=Granular Ferric Oxide, removes phosphate.