"Dusty" or "yucky" looking sand

[AmandaB]

Hey guys!

I just did my weekly water change (approx 1/4ish) in my 20 gal tank. I noticed this evening when I went to feed Pickles, that his(? Possibly hers) sand had like a dusty layer on it? I'm totally anal about getting poop and left over food out of there almost daily so I'm not sure if I missed a little bit and it went crazy over night?

I also have real plants and a hide in there.

Has anyone encountered this? How do I get rid of it? It seems to be bothering me a lot more than him.

I can post pictures in the morning.

Thanks everyone #stressed

 

[auntiejude]

Probably just a layer of debris - much like household dust. If you have a siphon you can suck it up, and any sand you remove can be rinsed and put back.

 

[AmandaB]

That was going to be my next question, if I could put it back!!

Thanks so much for responding! I will be trying today!!