[jhai]

I just started a small reef tank (12 gallon) two weeks ago. I have live rock, live sand, two hermet crabs and seven snails in the tank currently. All doing well pH is around 7, Nitrates and Amonia are <0.25.

My question is, I have noticed that the sand is developing dark areas, I think this is waste? How do I clean this since it is not being picked up by the filters?

[Reefland]

Hi jhai,


First, re-check your pH. 7 is not good for a saltwater tank.

As for the sand, what kind of dark spots? Does it look like growing mats, or just accumulated waste? What kind of sand is it? What size, like sugar grain size or larger?

[jhai]

Thanks.. I went out and purchased a pH test kit instead of the pH paper to get a more accurate testing as the store own also cannot believe that I have such a low pH.

The store also informed me that the dark spots are probably waste and that I should leave them as they will either decompose or more probably be eaten by the hermet crabs.