Sand substrate problems

[bottomdweller72]

I have a 30g tank and just over a month ago I put sand substrate in it. First... This is the first time in my 30+ yrs of fish keeping that I have used sand. Second... because I was new to it, I didn't know to clean it first. So the problem I'm having, I'm not sure if the second part is the cause. My fish really liked the sand, mostly bottom feeders... rope fish, corys, bn pleco, pompon goldfish and sunfire platys.

I have done weekly wc as I've always done, 30%. The last 3 weeks it has been noxious. Like a septic tank gone terribly wrong. I couldn't take it anymore so I'm currently taking down the tank to get the sand out and put river rock back in. I know the sand is better, so does anyone have any idea what happened? I have super poopers in there and my filtration is for 110g. No plant as the pompon destroys them. 3 decorations for hiding in. I use a siphon vacuum.

 

[mattison187]

Im guessing your talking smell? If so, it sounds like your tank is cycling again due to the new substrate. Once your bb catches up itll go away. Just stay up on the waterchanges to keep any nitrite or amonia diluted

 

[jwh]

You need to vacuum the substrate otherwise it will trap detritus and form hydrogen sulfide gas which gives off a rotten egg like smell

 

[bottomdweller72]

You need to vacuum the substrate otherwise it will trap detritus and form hydrogen sulfide gas which gives off a rotten egg like smell

I did, every week I did the wc, I vacuumed the sand. This was a far worse smell than rotten eggs lol my friend said it smelled brackish but it smelled like septic to me. We had to keep taking breaks to go outside for air, it was horrible.

 

[Judyok]

Where did you get the sand?

 

[bottomdweller72]

Where did you get the sand?

Local fish store, they recommended it.

 

[Judyok]

You might try pool filter sand which can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot. It's only around $7.00 for a 50 pound bag. Never had a problem with it getting rank. Also how deep is the sand in your tank?

 

[Jhay3513]

Are all fish present and accounted for?

 

[Giant Val]

How deep is the sand? If too deep can go anaerobic.

 

[bottomdweller72]

You might try pool filter sand which can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot. It's only around $7.00 for a 50 pound bag. Never had a problem with it getting rank. Also how deep is the sand in your tank?

It was about 2"?