Bubbles in my sand

[jrob11111]

I have bubbles that are working their way up through my sand bed - does anyone know what causes this and if it is normal?

 

[hackman72]

How long has the sand been in the tank?

 

[musicalocean]

I noticed that in my tank too..please do tell what causes this

 

[gareefer]

I think it is from adding the sand before filling the tank with water. Don't know if that is true or not.

 

[musicalocean]

looking up from under my tank it looks like alot of dark green algae & dark purple which I'm assuming is coraline but there is a pink fleshy looking blob of stuff as well. It's definitely not a bristle worm since its the size of a half dollar & round. Wonder what it is? Wish I could get a picture of it. It has little bumps on it like a tounge

 

[musicalocean]

Come to think of it I did put my sand in before I added water but my tank has been set up for almost a year now. Guess its possible there could still be air pockets underneath it.

 

[coral_hog]

What you are seeing is the very end of the Nitrogen cycle..., or basically, anerobic bacteria converting nitrates to nitrogen gas. It is usually more obvious if you have a DSB. The nitrogen gas collects together in the sand bed until a large enough bubble builds up, and breaks through the surface.

 

[jef4y]

coral_hog;579466 wrote: What you are seeing is the very end of the Nitrogen cycle..., or basically, anerobic bacteria converting nitrates to nitrogen gas. It is usually more obvious if you have a DSB. The nitrogen gas collects together in the sand bed until a large enough bubble builds up, and breaks through the surface.

^^this^^

I see tiny bubbles coming up mostly when I shut off the pumps to feed. It's natural & normal.

 

[jrob11111]

I have had the sand in for 2 months.

 

[ichthyoid]

It's from all of that Reef Chili you've been feeding! :Thinkingof_:

 

[jrob11111]

Dumb question, but DSB = deep sand bed?

 

[lilrobb]

Yup

 

[coral_hog]

jrob11111;579696 wrote: Dumb question, but DSB = deep sand bed?

No, not a dumb question..., but yes "DSB" is short for "Deep Sand Bed"