I've had the tank up for about three weeks now and I bought already pre-established Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock for the tank. I had for fairly large chunks of base rock, which became at least 75% covered by my sand. The base rock actually did have quite a bit of life on it, which then became burried. About a week or two into things I started noticing little blotches of black in the sandbed. Today the black blotches have spread quite a lot more... almost like they diffused through the sand. I'm thinking this is due to something that croaked under the sand, but I've got no idea. I took a picture of this and can be seen at this link . Can anybody tell me what this is? Should I be worried or is this just nature doing it's thing?
What's going on in my DSB? Nothing out of the ordinary I hope...
- Thread starter Nickeleye
- Start date
How much stuff was buried? If there was a lot, there might be rpoblems down the line, since this dead matter is being broekn down by anaerobes, instead of the usual aerobic bacteria. I'm not positive, but I'd be careful about disturbing the sand much, and I encourage you to get a DSB crew--lots of worms and snails to keep the upper layers in good shape.
Your sand will change colors. That means it is working. Here, hopefully, is a picture of mine.
Well, sorry. I can't post a picture. I thought I knew how. Any help, please?
Well, sorry. I can't post a picture. I thought I knew how. Any help, please?
thoap - I'd say it's about 4" of sand all around the tank.
OrionGirl - I think I exaggerated a bit on how much was buried... mostly just coraline algae, a few barnacles and some sponges. The rock was pretty dense so I don't think there was too much living inside the rocks. Good call and the DSB crew. As it is, the sand doesn't get disturbed very much at all.
OrionGirl - I think I exaggerated a bit on how much was buried... mostly just coraline algae, a few barnacles and some sponges. The rock was pretty dense so I don't think there was too much living inside the rocks. Good call and the DSB crew. As it is, the sand doesn't get disturbed very much at all.
Right now is an excellent time to get some detritivores into your sandbed. I have had good luck with detritivore packages from both IPSF and Inland Aquatics. In adddition, some nassarius snails and maybe a fighting conch will be useful additions. I haven't tried it, but everything I have read says that big critters like sand-sifting stars will eat all the detritivores that you paid so much for.
Is your live rock from TBS? Did you get live sand with it also?
Is your live rock from TBS? Did you get live sand with it also?
Live rock is from TBS. Didn't add any storebought "live sand". I added some sand from my friend's tank to help kick start things a little about 2 weeks into the tank's life.
I wouldn't want any sand sifting stars. The brittle stars that came with my rock (the rocks are absolutely crammed with them) pretty much stay off the sand and when they do get into the sand they don't make a huge mess. They usually just chill out in one spot. I believe I already have a few fighting conch's on the rocks. They seem to look like pictures of fighting conch's I've seen online. one of them is a little over 1" long, one is maybe 3/4" long and I've seen a couple little tiny ones roaming around. From what I've been able to see, they tend to stay on the rocks despite what I've read about these animals cleaning the sand.
p.s. What am I looking for from these sites? Sand activaters?
Looks like these kits are full of bristle worms and spaghetti worms... I've got a fair number of spaghetti worms (probably around a 8-12) and I have quite a few bristle worms, but maybe I need more. My sand trails appear to be somewhat lacking at this point.
Maybe I should be looking at some garf grunge.
I wouldn't want any sand sifting stars. The brittle stars that came with my rock (the rocks are absolutely crammed with them) pretty much stay off the sand and when they do get into the sand they don't make a huge mess. They usually just chill out in one spot. I believe I already have a few fighting conch's on the rocks. They seem to look like pictures of fighting conch's I've seen online. one of them is a little over 1" long, one is maybe 3/4" long and I've seen a couple little tiny ones roaming around. From what I've been able to see, they tend to stay on the rocks despite what I've read about these animals cleaning the sand.
p.s. What am I looking for from these sites? Sand activaters?
Looks like these kits are full of bristle worms and spaghetti worms... I've got a fair number of spaghetti worms (probably around a 8-12) and I have quite a few bristle worms, but maybe I need more. My sand trails appear to be somewhat lacking at this point.
Maybe I should be looking at some garf grunge.
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The sand activators, grunge and the like are all good. More sources of microbes and tiny organisms is always better.
Here's what I like in the way of detritivores:
amphipods
copepods
bristle worms
terebellid (spaghetti) worms
strombus snails (IPSF)
mysis shrimp
microstars
The reason I asked about TBS is because their live sand is really live. Right off the bottom of the ocean and full of goodies. A few pounds of that would have started you off well.
Here's what I like in the way of detritivores:
amphipods
copepods
bristle worms
terebellid (spaghetti) worms
strombus snails (IPSF)
mysis shrimp
microstars
The reason I asked about TBS is because their live sand is really live. Right off the bottom of the ocean and full of goodies. A few pounds of that would have started you off well.
Well, as tempting as the TBS sand sounds... Didn't think about it at the time and I'm not sure if a trip all the way to LAX airport is worth it for sand. I may have to take a slightly more patient approach with the sand and get a kit of some variety.