Is my tank about to explode??

[jehudson]

I was turning an upside snail over when I dug into the sand near the glass, releasing a bunch of bubbles(5 or so 1/8th" each). I tested a few other spots (along the glass) and it did the same. I seems to have triggered some cyano. I

do not have any air pumps in the tank. I'll have to get parameters later today, as I'm not home.

Am I sitting on a ticking time-bomb?

[ErikH]

I think some of those bubbles are natural. Maybe the sand is breaking down and some chemical reaction causes this? I have the same bubbles, but no cyano. I don't have "alot" only a few. Maybe someone else knows!?!?

[Rychek]

I was under the impression that live sand "consumes" (for lack of a better word) nitrate and releases gas (nitrogen?). I believe it's normal. My hermit crabs release bubbles from my sand on a regular basis as they walk along.

[jehudson]

cool ... I thought it was something like that ... just wanted to make sure I wasn't releasing poisonous gas into my house

[LoneStar]

Its totally normal. Means your sand is 'live' and doing its job. Just don't go disturbing it too much!