Sand clumping in new tank???

[SaraB]

I know I have read what causes this in the past, but can't seem to locate the topic.

The sand in my new tank has formed a hard crust across the top of it. What causes it and what can be done to stop the hardening. The last round of testing resulted in this:

Alk: 8.0
CA: 410
Mag: 1220

Is it that I need to raise the Mag?

 

[mpoletti]

There are two different type of clumping that can occur in newer sand beds; Precipitation or Bacterial. Is it a hard "clump" or slimy "clump"?

 

[mpoletti]

Oh yeah, what is your PH? Do you dose limewater?

 

[bushh23]

What's your PH? I had my calcium reactor send a bunch of low PH water into the tank along with a concentration of higher calc water and it had the same effect.

 

[SaraB]

There are two different type of clumping that can occur in newer sand beds; Precipitation or Bacterial. Is it a hard "clump" or slimy "clump"?

Precipitation making a nice layer of hard concrete!

PH is 8.0

Yes, I drip Kalk 24/7 as topoff. I have a Deltec reactor and stir 4x per day for 20 min.

 

[Poseidon]

Mg is right on Sara, 3x Ca level is what you want.

Sorry I can't help more then that.

 

[mpoletti]

Just a long shot, but has your tank recently consumed more alk and mg recently? I've also read that precipitation is fairly common in newer tanks with different layers of sand.

 

[wishntoboutside]

just cover it with a bunch of those nice bright shiny corals. then you wont even notice it. =)

 

[SaraB]

Just a long shot, but has your tank recently consumed more alk and mg recently? I've also read that precipitation is fairly common in newer tanks with different layers of sand.

Both Alk and Mag have recently dropped. I guess I will need to measure more frequently and dose to keep levels stable.