Discolored Pool Filter Sand

[Sierra23]

Hi all,
Probably a total newbie question, but I have a 50 gallon planted tank with pool filter sand as substrate. Over the 9 months the tank has been up and running, I’ve found that some of the sand is turning a dark dirty color. Like individual grains, but not all. So the beautiful off white color it started as is no more. Is this normal?
Thanks!

 

[Gypsy13]

Good question. Hey @Dave125g @Thunder_o_b any ideas?

 

[Dave125g]

Yea the lighter the substrate the more the biofilm, algae and poop stand out. I stir up my substrate monthly to bury that stuff. Doing so provides some fertilizer for the plants. Corydoras help stir the sand and kick up poop which is then pulled in by the filter.

 

[Gypsy13]

Yea the lighter the substrate the more the biofilm, algae and poop stand out. I stir up my substrate monthly to bury that stuff. Doing so provides some fertilizer for the plants. Corydoras help stir the sand and kick up poop which is then pulled in by the filter.

Thank you. This will be my first adventure in a sandy bottom aquarium! And you’re right. Corys do stir things up!

 

[Thunder_o_b]

How deep is the substrate?

I have PFS in a 55. After more than a month it is as white as the day I put it in. I use aggressive filtration (700 GPH) along with a product called Seachem Pristine

I use it in all our aquariums and it is very effective I rarely gravel vac. I do swizzle the sand right before a water change, but this is more to prevent the sand from compacting around the roots of my plants.

If you are using UV sterilizers you will need to turn them off for at least three days to give the Pristine bacteria a chance to establish its self in the substrate.

 

[Ms rose]

seachem prestine is a bacteria that cleans your substrate? iv heard of this and am curious.

 

[Thunder_o_b]

seachem prestine is a bacteria that cleans your substrate? iv heard of this and am curious.

It is a bacteria that was developed to breakdown fats and the like. I am not sure of the science of it but it does what they say it will do. Generally if I see fish poo early in the day by the time I get home it is gone.

 

[Ms rose]

Thats amazing. I'll have to add some to my "cart" lol

 

[Thunder_o_b]

Thats amazing. I'll have to add some to my "cart" lol

This sand has been set up for two months. I have gravel vacuumed once. And there is a 4 year old ABN in there.

 

[Ms rose]

Wow stunning, and how nice it must be to not have to gravel vac. I just switched 5o bdbs and you can c EVERYTHING now lol. I'm sorry I'm a tab bit slow, what is ABN ? Beautiful plan5s btw

Albino bristle nose ? Lol

 

[Thunder_o_b]

Wow stunning, and how nice it must be to not have to gravel vac. I just switched 5o bdbs and you can c EVERYTHING now lol. I'm sorry I'm a tab bit slow, what is ABN ? Beautiful plan5s btw

Albino bristle nose ? Lol

Thank you Ms rose

This is Benny our 4 year old Albino Bristle Nose. They produce a good amount of waste.