Bubles coming out from DSB

[blackpuma]

I noticed there are bubbles coming out from my DSB. Especially on the side that is exposed to sunlight ? Is denitrification taking place ?

[hotlemond]

yes it is. congratulation, your tank is taking care of itself. this are the harmless nitrogen gas released after the nitrate are process by the good low oxygen anerobic bacteria. Just one thing you can do, dun disturb the sand.

[Reeffer]

mind telling me roughly how long it takes before dsb matures and denitrification take place?

[hotlemond]

mind telling me roughly how long it takes before dsb matures and denitrification take place?

the bubbles and a mature deep sand bed is two different issues.

The bubbles are part of the denitrification process but that does not indicate that the DSB is mature, it only shows that the bacteria is growing. DSB maturity vastly depends on the stability of the tank, but mostly it takes after 18 months.

[blueheaven]

I beg to differ. You mentioned that bubbles are appearing at parts where it is exposed to sunlight. This is most probably oxygen gas from algae that is growing.

The heterotrophic anaerobic bacteria which converts nitrates to nitrogen gas is usually found at the middle layer and they do not need light to make food unlike the autotrophic aerobic bacteria found at the surface. You can read my article on sandbeds for some info

[jc85]

Where's ur article on DSB?

[blueheaven]

Here:

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...pic=24450&st=0&

[blackpuma]

I beg to differ. You mentioned that bubbles are appearing at parts where it is exposed to sunlight. This is most probably oxygen gas from algae that is growing.

The heterotrophic anaerobic bacteria which converts nitrates to nitrogen gas is usually found at the middle layer and they do not need light to make food unlike the autotrophic aerobic bacteria found at the surface. You can read my article on sandbeds for some info

Your article on DSB was most enlightening. How do I know if my DSB is really working besides measuring my N03 ?

[blueheaven]

Another way which I use to evaluate a DSB is whether it is teeming with life

My DSB has lots of worms, pods, flatworms, snails, tunicates and its literally "moving" all the time

[hotlemond]

I beg to differ. You mentioned that bubbles are appearing at parts where it is exposed to sunlight. This is most probably oxygen gas from algae that is growing.

The heterotrophic anaerobic bacteria which converts nitrates to nitrogen gas is usually found at the middle layer and they do not need light to make food unlike the autotrophic aerobic bacteria found at the surface. You can read my article on sandbeds for some info

mmmm, I believe we odd to get more clarification here in order to benefit the questioner and as well as for the rest of us.

The article was indeed informative and I enjoyed reading it. However, from the article you posted, I read only the nitrogen gasess released by the zone named "anoxic" that are fully oxidizing nitrate back to nitrogen gasses but i did not understand that the other layer as mentioned that are fertilizer for nitrate are in gaseous form.

[hotlemond]

mmmm, I believe we odd to get more clarification here in order to benefit the questioner and as well as for the rest of us.

The article was indeed informative and I enjoyed reading it. However, from the article you posted, I read only the nitrogen gasess released by the zone named "anoxic" that are fully oxidizing nitrate back to nitrogen gasses but i did not understand that the other layer as mentioned that are fertilizer for nitrate are in gaseous form.

I also suspect that the gases are somewhat visible on the glass plane covered by layer of sand otherwise the bubbles are almost impossible to form at the very surface

[blueheaven]

mmmm, I believe we odd to get more clarification here in order to benefit the questioner and as well as for the rest of us.

The article was indeed informative and I enjoyed reading it. However, from the article you posted, I read only the nitrogen gasess released by the zone named "anoxic" that are fully oxidizing nitrate back to nitrogen gasses but i did not understand that the other layer as mentioned that are fertilizer for nitrate are in gaseous form.

I do not really understand what you mean but I'll try to help.

The "anoxic" zone is a term coined by Bob Goemans for a zone which is not totally anaerobic but at the same time consist of minute levels of oxygen. It is in this layer that nitrates are reduced to nitrogen gas by bacterial means.

[veliferium]

Eh,my sandbed has lots of bubbles,the part is not directed at the sun

[blueheaven]

Then you should check whether any algae is growing there. If not, then probably you have tapped the potential of a successful DSB

[junyong84]

my DSB with diatoms have this problem too... probably is the diatoms that are breathing...

[hotlemond]

I do not really understand what you mean but I'll try to help.

The "anoxic" zone is a term coined by Bob Goemans for a zone which is not totally anaerobic but at the same time consist of minute levels of oxygen. It is in this layer that nitrates are reduced to nitrogen gas by bacterial means.

correct. I agreed there is such thing. My DSB have this too.

I was hoping bro blackpuma's situation was exactly like what you have coined under Bob Geomans findings, the anerobic bacteria converting the nitrate into harmless nitrogen gases. In fact, your posted article was supporting my assumption as well.

hence, I was confused when you replied it was an algae situation.

[veliferium]

Then you should check whether any algae is growing there. If not, then probably you have tapped the potential of a successful DSB 

Oh no there r algae growing in the DSB,brown & green. Wad will happen

[blueheaven]

Try covering the glass with some black paper as I did. It helps in a way to stop them from growing