Dark substrata

[lokie]

My reef has been up and running for 2 years. The top layer of my substrata has turned much darker than the material just under the surface. There is not hair algea present. Most of the photos on the web have snow white beds. What is normal? Should I be concerned. The tank shows nor stress, unless the cat presses his nose against the glass. It is a std 75 gal, 30 gal sump, turns 850 gal an hour, Eroreef skimmer, 4 VHO lights.

[Junkzoo]

Welcome to TRT!
First thing ,I'm gonna move your thread to General Reef Discussion, so more members will see it,,,,BTW: most activity will be there,,,that would be the place to "hang out" ,,don't forget to check out "The Think Tank", DIY forum, Margaritaville(for non reefing discussions),and the many other forums that might spark your fancy,,,
Again welcome to TRT!

[Junkzoo]

Any chance on posting a picture of your sand in question?
That would help , in helping you,,,

[lokie]

I thank you for your reply and welcome. I wish I could post a photo of my tank, but I do not have the proper gear. I have kept fish since 1959. I kept salt water tanks in the late 60s and became frustarted with the limitations. I was very excited regarding advances in salt water tanks of the last 10 years and have jumped in with a reef tank.

Approx 50% of the substrata grains have turned dark. It has a salt and pepper look.

My livestock includes 3 sps, 4 lps & 8 softies, 2 Peculas, 2 Black Caps, 4 yellow damsels, 50 assorted hermits, and many many snails. 120 lbs of Gulf View live rock, 100 lbs live sand from the same source. I do a 10% weekly water change, using Kent salt. I use RO water. I add 1 gal of make up water daily.

The only other problem I have had is my Xenia. It has been on a roller coaster the last 12 months,(spreads like crab grass for 2 months,recedes some and takes off again).

The only photos I have seen that have similar substrata appearence are from the GARF site.

[JennM]

First of all, WELCOME to TRT!!!!

Do you vacuum the substrate when you do water changes? Or do you have a deep sand bed?

It could be that the sand is heavily populated with bacteria (a good thing) and that is causing the discolouration. If it's a deep sand bed, you'll probably have different layers going on, with detritus in different stages of breakdown.

If your parameters all check out (post them if possible please), I wouldn't worry too much about it. I imagine it depends too on what type of sand you started with. Many here are using play sand - Southdown brand - and it is basically white to begin with.

Hope this helps,
Jenn

[lokie]

I have placed the live rock on an old undergravel filter and layered 3" of live sand from Gulf View around the rock. It is 1/8' size granuals. I do not vacum at water changed. I use the baster to squirt water pressure on the gravel 2 to 3 times a month for a snow storm to help feed the small red & white fans. This turns the top 1 1/2 ' of the gravel. The skimmer is a Euro-Reef that is run wide open. I clean the cup twice a week and have about 1.2 " of skim. I have noticed the skim is more brown over the last year. I add a two part calcium and alk supplements to my make up water daily. PH runs 8.3-8.4, calcium 400, 0 ammonia, 0 both nits, alk is in high -med range, I have forgotten the uom. I am at work, on break, if my boss reads this.

I have the only reef tank in a 3 county area the LFS is 70 miles away so I reeeealy appriciate your help. I have had only one major problem since start up in Jan 2002. We were 500 mi away and received a call from our daughter that the 30 yr old tank was leaking. Drove all nite, broke the tank down, resealed and rebuilt. Most of the live stuff became heavily stressed. All we lost, that I could see, we the neat little worms that are missed unless you look very close. Also when I broke the tank down I found med brown colored worms under the undergravel filter. The were 1/4 " thick, 3" long, smooth bodied, with feelers or tenticles on one end about 1/4" long. Were these goog guys or bad guys? All 12 of them died. Sorry to ramble. Must be a sign of advancing years.

Thank you Jenn

Mark

[Jimbo]

You may need to add iodine for the xenia. The worms are probally peanut worms, they are good.