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Air pockets in sand?


TimB

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Hi,

just put some new playsand into a tank i am setting up(i thoroughly washed it) and have noticed when i run my hand through the sand lots of bubbles are released. Is this anything to be worried about?

Cheers,

tim

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While it is new, the bubbles are probably just O2 that got trapped.

However, as a generalisation, sand of this size is not good in fish tanks due to its ability of creating an anaerobic zone that can cause a build-up of methane gas. The deeper the layer of sand the more likelihood of this happening. It can all somewhat be offset if fish in the tank dig, but at the end of the day, if the sand layer is deep enough, and the sand is fine enough, sooner or later there may be a methane issue.

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ive used bunnings play sand before but in one tank it was mixed in with crushed coral substrate as i knew it would soon dissappear as i siphoned the substrate.in another i only used a thin layer of up to 2cm thick but having cichlids that sift through sand i knew it would be ok.you just may need to stir it up until you notice a change.or when you do water changes move the hose around if thats what you use.i have a hose but coming from my premixed water in a drum i just aim it around and it stirs the substrate for me.

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Ok cheers.

I gave it a good stir and dug through it with my fingers. All gone now :happy:

Thanks for the help guys!!

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One more thing,,, take CThomsoms advice about the bad bacteria that fine sand can harvest.

I tend to use the sand like you've used also,,, but I never go thicker than 1cm or problems likely arise.

And as also said,,, it really helps if your specie type is one that turns your substrate about.

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