Too deep of a substrate?

[jacobfata]

This is my aquarium that has been running for eight months. I originally had a gravel bottom but rather than removing it when I remodeled my aquarium I simply added a couple bags of sand on top. Now people in other topics are telling me my substrate is too deep and it’s going to release toxic gasses that kill everything in the tank... this sucks because I just canceled and order of discus I had coming. Will my tank be ok or am I really going to have to take it down and start over? I’ve seen so many aquariums with deep substrate just like mine.. and it’s not like I ever stir the sand.

At this point, after all the work I put in I would rather sell the aquarium than take it down and start over. Opinions?

Someone please tell me honestly everything is ok.

 

[tlindsey]

This is my aquarium that has been running for eight months. I originally had a gravel bottom but rather than removing it when I remodeled my aquarium I simply added a couple bags of sand on top. Now people in other topics are telling me my substrate is too deep and it’s going to release toxic gasses that kill everything in the tank... this sucks because I just canceled and order of discus I had coming. Will my tank be ok or am I really going to have to take it down and start over? I’ve seen so many aquariums with deep substrate just like mine.. and it’s not like I ever stir the sand.

At this point, after all the work I put in I would rather sell the aquarium than take it down and start over. Opinions?

Someone please tell me honestly everything is ok.

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Just use gravel vac over different areas during water changes or use your fingers.

 

[A201]

IMO, deep gravel beds are benificial to a healthy stable aquarium environment. I've kept at least a 3" deep bed of gravel in all my tanks for the past 30 yrs. This allows for a huge colony of benificial bacteria to take hold. I seldom gravel vac, the water parameters stay pristine, and its been many years since a disease outbreak. I'm not a sand advocate, but realize it is very popular as of late. As noted above need to routinely lightly stir up the sand as to avoid gas pockets. I think your Discus will be fine. btw, nice tank.

 

[jacobfata]

I never disturb the substrate except when I smooth out the sand with my hands during water changes. These people are saying it’s a ticking time bomb and everything I’m putting in my aquarium are going to die! What’s really going on? Are my fish safe?

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

It has it's benefits and drawbacks. It can create a great biofilter, however if anoxic pockets occur they can release toxic gas when disturbed. I have done both deep and shallow be substrate and not had a problem with either.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I wouldn't worry about the depth.

 

[jacobfata]

Thank you for clarifying this for me. These people had me cancel my order of ten two inch discus ‍

 

[jacobfata]

So my baby is safe?

 

[Jexnell]

What you do is each water change, with your fingures probe into the sand. Do 1/4 of the tank each water change that way if there is any gas buildup it is released in small amounts, and not when it's built up enough pressure to push thru the sand to the surface.

 

[jacobfata]

OK so with every water change just run my fingers through the sand to disturb it? My discus are safe for delivery?