Dark smelly sand

[Vee]

In just 2 weeks, my pool sand substrate turned dark and smelly. I did a search on the Internet and came up with a great article:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/sand.php

In summary:

- Sand goes dark from rotting food and waste
- Need to stir sand to release toxic buildup of gases (this is what makes it smelly) and waste
- Do a little area of your tank to avoid disturbing your entire tank

[Eddie]

Or just skip the sand. :) lol


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[Skip]

Or just skip the sand. :) lol

10-4!

[jimg]

I clean my tanks pretty well and I had areas that would start to get dark too using sand at 1+" thick. I used just enough now to get a very thin cover on the bottom. sand is too dense and easily gets anaerobic pockets.

[Second Hand Pat]

Vee, your sand deep?

[Disgirl]

BTW, when my tank sand, 1" or less deep, gets dark, it is a fine layer of algae growing on it. I just vac it out into a bucket, wash under hot water and stir it well, rinse in cold water, and put back in tank, all clean and white again. I would only do 1/4 of the tank at a time though and get it all done in a week or less. Just my tip for the day.
Barb

[Vee]

My sand was just under an inch but with it turning dark and stinky, I've scooped alot of it out so it's just over 1/4". With every water change, I will scoop a little more out.

[vera]

u mean u aiming to remove it completely from yr tank ?if not a group of corries will do daily turnover of yr sand

[Vee]

I'm keeping the sand, just trying to thin it out. I have 3 cories and plan to buy more soon. Thanks everyone for the advice.