Does Sand Absorb Odors

[Benson]

Hey everyone… what is your experience with sand as a substrate in regards to it holding odors from the water? I recently changed from sand back to gravel and the sand had a very strong bad odor to it. Just curious? I’m wondering if that is why when I did my water changes the water would smell bad a few days later…

 

[Rebgen]

I wonder if you had some pockets of anaerobic bacteria or pockets of waste that were isolated in the sand substrate? Sounds like that might be a potential source.

 

[jonathan03]

My guess would be bacteria growing in the sand. The same thing happens at a lake if you dig in the sand. It does have a weird smell sometimes.