Weird bubbles during cycle.

[Sorbo]

Do you normally get lots of bubbles forming while your tank is cycling?

I'm over 3 weeks into my cycle and still have ammonia levels and no nitrites. When my lights are on, bubbles start to form on the sand and rise up. Before I turn them on there is no bubles though. I'm even starting to see bubble pockets forming under the sand through the walls of the tank.

What's going on here?

The tank is just a 15G Nano tank, and the sandbed is only 2-3 inches deep so I'm not sure if it classifies as a deep sand bed, it's all sand of the same size as well.

Anyone have any clue as to what these bubbles maybe, and why my cycle seems to be taking so long?

Thanks!

[Randall_James]

probably nitrogen, that is the function of the DSB and is a good sign, you will notice bubbles like that forming on rocks also.

[Sorbo]

Ya, I wondered if it was nitrogen, but can I get that happening with a sandbed of only 2 to 3 inches?

And if nitrogen is forming so fast, will that affect my cycle?

[Sorbo]

I dont think it's the deep sand bed effect. Will nitrites get broken down in the upper layers of the sand during a cycle?

Has anyone else noticed these bubbles during their cycle?

[drjrose]

It is the nitrAtes that the DSB works on to release nitrogen gas. If you make the DSB 4" it will work out even better. See this article http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm

[Randall_James]

there is an algae that also causes these gas bubbles (not regular bubble algae) but the name eludes my brain. Bertoni I am sure can recite it