Cleaning my sand

ScubaPrawn · 01/30/2010, 07:35 PM

I'm looking at my sand have noticed a lot of brown stuff (I'm guessing dead material from my LR) on the top of my sand.. What's the best way to get rid of this?

My tank is really tall (it's a column) so it's hard for me to reach down there. Is there anything that will eat this stuff (fingers crossed)?

Also I've noticed green/brown growth, I'm guessing it's algae, on other people's tanks on the glass next to the sand. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? I'd appreciate some additional tips on how to keep my substrate and tank clean.

Thanks guys.

Pike614 · 01/30/2010, 07:44 PM

sounds like cyanobacteria. Many causes, but vacuuming sand wont do much good. DO a search for Cyano bacteria and you'll find volumes about causes and control.

Octoshark · 01/30/2010, 07:46 PM

Do you think it is cyano?

CYANO: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=147010

ScubaPrawn · 01/30/2010, 07:53 PM

Sorry I should have been better in my description. Looking at it again, I don't think the brown "stuff" is alive or ever was alive. It looks like brown dust and a lot of it has fallen from my LR onto the substrate.

Looking closely it almost looks like sand/dust.

sedor · 01/30/2010, 08:10 PM

Sounds to me like either diatoms, or possibly just detrius. If you have a deep sand DO NOT stir it, but if its less than 3" deep just take your turkey baster and stir it up, maybe gently blow it a little to get all that stuff in the water column so the skimmer can take it out.

ScubaPrawn · 01/30/2010, 11:05 PM

I think it does appear to be diatoms. Are there any other options than trying to stir it up? Is there any animal that can help with the process?

Thanks

01/30/2010, 07:35 PM	#1
ScubaPrawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 244	Cleaning my sand I'm looking at my sand have noticed a lot of brown stuff (I'm guessing dead material from my LR) on the top of my sand.. What's the best way to get rid of this? My tank is really tall (it's a column) so it's hard for me to reach down there. Is there anything that will eat this stuff (fingers crossed)? Also I've noticed green/brown growth, I'm guessing it's algae, on other people's tanks on the glass next to the sand. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? I'd appreciate some additional tips on how to keep my substrate and tank clean. Thanks guys.

01/30/2010, 07:46 PM	#3
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	Do you think it is cyano? CYANO: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=147010 __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

01/30/2010, 08:10 PM	#5
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Sounds to me like either diatoms, or possibly just detrius. If you have a deep sand DO NOT stir it, but if its less than 3" deep just take your turkey baster and stir it up, maybe gently blow it a little to get all that stuff in the water column so the skimmer can take it out. __________________ Ryan

01/30/2010, 07:44 PM	#2
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	sounds like cyanobacteria. Many causes, but vacuuming sand wont do much good. DO a search for Cyano bacteria and you'll find volumes about causes and control.

01/30/2010, 07:53 PM	#4
ScubaPrawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 244	Sorry I should have been better in my description. Looking at it again, I don't think the brown "stuff" is alive or ever was alive. It looks like brown dust and a lot of it has fallen from my LR onto the substrate. Looking closely it almost looks like sand/dust.

01/30/2010, 11:05 PM	#6
ScubaPrawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 244	I think it does appear to be diatoms. Are there any other options than trying to stir it up? Is there any animal that can help with the process? Thanks