Switched from Florite to dirt/ sand and getting concerned

I recently switched my 55 gallon Florite substrate to a 75 gallon dirted. I'm getting a lot of big bubbles from the dirt. I'm on week 3, my dirt is capped with pool sand and used laterite and about a 2 handfuls of my previous substrate to help with bacteria growth. My concern is I pressed around and released a lot of bubbles. Some of the sand is coming up dark grey. Curious if anyone has any insight on this. I read all around and getting a lot of confusion.

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Permalink Reply by Peter on September 23, 2013 at 9:52pm

Just gas pockets. Just poke at ur substrate every week or soo it really never stops. I the gas gets stuck in substrate it will create anerobic conditions that will start producing bad gasses which if they get out to water colum is bad

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Permalink Reply by Chuck W on September 23, 2013 at 10:46pm

I've read trumpet snails can help, but I have 3 very active clown loaches and not sure if that would be smart. I pressed down the sand along the entire bottom, I'll just keep doing that. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Sin the conqueror on September 27, 2013 at 1:11am

to much organic materials in your dirt and it is breaking down. i would have used peat with the dirt. the acidic nature of peat moss slows down the release of nutrients into the substrate.

if organic decomposition happens to rapidly you will get algae blooms.

trumpets are alright, but i would recommend to just leave the substrate alone for a while until bubble formation slows down.

when you plant, make sure to plant heavily and make sure that almost every area of the substrate has some kind of root system in it. roots give off oxygen and will keep the dirt from going anerobic

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Permalink Reply by Chuck W on September 28, 2013 at 2:51pm

I have some drawf sag, 3 medium swords, and some jungle vals along the back. My swords are struggling to grow, but sag is sending lots of runners. What other fast growing root feeders should I look for?