aneirobic substrate :(

[Ed Seeley]

this is quite deep, 3" (2" sand and 1" of JBL AB) It is also turning black

My planted tanks are that deep, two with just some laterite at the base, the rest sand. I'd try and syphon some of the sand off and reduce the depth where you're having problems. Either that or give the sand layer a good stir every day and syphon off the debris for a few days and see how that goes.

 

[aaronnorth]

I might take some sand out, I have just got some MTS from Wayne to try and help.

 

[GreenNeedle]

I think you may have a different problem but as you know from my many rants I am in 'constant disagreement' with the many "You can't use a fine substrate as it will become anaerobic" statements as per my posts on TFF.

I have used plsy/silver/dry sand for a long time and a part from the small amount of cyno that grows along the front (as it also did with pea gravel) I have no problems. Large bubbles occasionally come from the substrate but there is no smell. This is on top of the Tropica substrate which has visible amounts of organic matter within it.

I'm also a very lazy water changer to the point that sometimes I can't be bothered for a few weeks in which time no detritus gets removed and still no probs.

The front of my 'scapes' is always plain sand. I do have MTS but they only burrow through the top of the sand and at the front it is 2" deep on top of the Tropica. At the back it is 3-4 ".

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

i removed some of the sand, i baulked and ran to the toilet :? i think it was aneirobic! The sand WAS black too