Pool filter sand depth

[tuvok]

I am in the process of planning a paludarium. One of the biggest chalenges is how to set up the land area. One of the methods I was considering was just piling pool filter sand (already being used in the tank) until it was about 11-12" high oo one side of the tank. The pool filter sand in 1-2 milimetres is diamater. Is there likely to be a problem with developing anaerobic pockets by following this course of action?

 

[Teelie]

That's a difficult question to answer. The short answer is yes because the pockets develop after 2" but it's also going to be built up like a shore so it also depends on how you're planning to prevent erosion off the "dry" land. With sand especially, water will literally eat away at it until it levels off.

 

[tuvok]

Good point about the erosion. I was thinking of building a flagstone/slate terrace but I could perhaps just as easily use the rocks to build the land area.

 

[clayt101]

I am not positive about this, but if the "land" portion is in direct contact with the air, wouldn't any gas releases created by the anerobic bacteria evaporate off very quickly. It is not like it is in gravel that is underwater. I know that the anareobic bacteria will be under the water table, but any gases that they produce should go straight up. Am I making sense?

 

[tuvok]

I understand what you are getting at. I'm not really sure how such a scenario would play out or what happens chemically/physically when an anerobic pocket is disturbed.