Please identify what's in my sandbed

[syte]

Could someone please help me figure out what the black dots in the sandbed are along with the hair-like things? Are these bad?

 

[Schism]

Could someone please help me figure out what the black dots in the sandbed are along with the hair-like things? Are these bad?

No worries, the small black things are just pockets of trapped air/gas. The hair-like things are tunnels dug by worms and other microfuana living it your sand bed.

 

[syte]

Hey Schism, thanks for the response! Could it possibly be hydrogen sulfide pockets? Also, is it okay to stir up the sand bed every once in a while?

 

[Schism]

Hey Schism, thanks for the response! Could it possibly be hydrogen sulfide pockets? Also, is it okay to stir up the sand bed every once in a while?

Not very likely. Especially in a newer tank. Most likely nitrogen i would think. How old is the tank? And how deep the sand bed?

 

[syte]

My tank is about 2 1/2 months old, and my deep sand bed is about 4". Thanks again for the advice .

 

[Schism]

My tank is about 2 1/2 months old, and my deep sand bed is about 4". Thanks again for the advice .

Ok since your running a deep sand bed i suggest only stirring around the top inch or so. If you stir the rest its best to do in portions like 10% weekly for instance.

But 2 1/2 months is not enough time to build up hydrogen sulfide. Pockets of hydrogen sulfide form over long periods of time undisturbed with large amounts of rotting organics. So maintaining your sand bed is important.