Air space underneath substrate

[gemo82]

I just started up a erm.....tank. Substrate used is bamboo charcoal and lava chips underneath Gex soil. Poured water in slowly, so much so that I did not disturb the substrate at all, water was crystal clear from start.

However, I noticed that water did not go all the way into the substrate, as I noticed air space in the substrate, at the bottom layer. It has been a few days since I started up.

May I know if it is ok to leave it as it is, or should I poke and disturb the substrate a bit for the trapped air to come out and water to get in?

[louis_last]

the same thing has happened in my new tank, i don't think it will be a problem, it actually looks to me like my bottom layer of dennerle deponit mix is pretty much dry, but they stress in their instructions the importance of not swirling the substrate so i will put my faith in their knowledge.

[vinz]

There is no need to do anything. Leave the substrate as it is.

[torque6]

No need to poke the soil as the compressed air will "diffused" in a couple of weeks.

[gemo82]

Thanks for the replies. One week has past and the air pockets still there, but looked "misty" due to water condensation. Will keep in view....till my hands get itchy.....

[torque6]

"misty " ? not sure what you mean by that.

My 1ft nano tank took a full 9 weeks for the air pockets to clear. In the course of cycling the tank, poking or disturbing the substrate may probably lead to ammonia spike, unless of course you have a substrate vacumn. That would solve the air bubbles immediately, though like most of us highlighted, it isnt a problem.

[gemo82]

"Misty" as in there are condensations on the glass at the air pockets. If poking or disturbing the substrate may lead to ammonia spike, shouldn't I do it now, since faunas are not introduced yet? Please advise.

[vinz]

Just leave them be.

This might put you at ease: your plant's roots will oxygenate the substrate like how the leaves oxygenate the water. There are processes in the substrate that consume oxygen. So... no problem leaving them there.

If you MUST get rid of those air pockets, don't stir. You only get ammonia spikes if the organic stuff in the substrate get into the water column. All you need to do is stick a stick into the area and the air will just bubble out.