Light brown dusting on sandbed

The Saltman · 01/01/2009, 04:39 PM

Hi guys,

I use the v/s/v method for controlling phosphates and nitrates in my reef aquarium. The tank looks excellent as far as algae is concerned, except the sandbed. I am trying to keep the sandbed looking as white as possible, but its not working. I continually get a light brown dusting along the sandbed. I've tried manually removing by actually taking out the top layer of sand, but it always comes back. I only have to clean the glass on this tank about once a week so I know I don't have a lot of excess nutrients in the system, but this problem is testing my patience. Any ideas from anyone that keeps a white clean sandbed?

cutegecko3 · 01/01/2009, 05:44 PM

Could be diatoms.I get an outbreak everytime I use water from my LFS,so i just filter my own and check it with a TDS meter.

andygb54303 · 01/01/2009, 06:08 PM

get some nassaius(spelling) snails they will keep your sand bed clean, or a cucumber. I would bet your clean up crew isn't sufficient.

bosko · 01/01/2009, 08:44 PM

I HAVE A DIAMOND GOBY AND TWO KONKS THAT DO A GOOD GOB WITH THE BROWN STUFF

01/01/2009, 04:39 PM	#1
The Saltman Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,642	Light brown dusting on sandbed Hi guys, I use the v/s/v method for controlling phosphates and nitrates in my reef aquarium. The tank looks excellent as far as algae is concerned, except the sandbed. I am trying to keep the sandbed looking as white as possible, but its not working. I continually get a light brown dusting along the sandbed. I've tried manually removing by actually taking out the top layer of sand, but it always comes back. I only have to clean the glass on this tank about once a week so I know I don't have a lot of excess nutrients in the system, but this problem is testing my patience. Any ideas from anyone that keeps a white clean sandbed?

01/01/2009, 05:44 PM	#2
cutegecko3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springdale, AR Posts: 974	Could be diatoms.I get an outbreak everytime I use water from my LFS,so i just filter my own and check it with a TDS meter.

01/01/2009, 06:08 PM	#3
andygb54303 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 396	get some nassaius(spelling) snails they will keep your sand bed clean, or a cucumber. I would bet your clean up crew isn't sufficient.

01/01/2009, 08:44 PM	#4
bosko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EL PASO TEXAS Posts: 131	I HAVE A DIAMOND GOBY AND TWO KONKS THAT DO A GOOD GOB WITH THE BROWN STUFF