Brown stuff on sand

alphamalle · 10/23/2012, 02:49 PM

So I'm nearing the end of my cycle, and my sand looks awful. Can anyone explain to me what exactly is happening and how to fix it.

WillM · 10/23/2012, 02:54 PM

Here are some cool related articles on this same site that cover that exact topic:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...NsXs0gGYl4C4Ag

chrisfont23 · 10/23/2012, 07:27 PM

Diatoms or cyano. Common with new setups. I have seen on both my tanks it dissipate in about 3 months. Until then increase flow and siphon it off. Worked for me.

eutimio · 10/23/2012, 07:45 PM

do I see a clown in there?fish-in cycle?

hollister · 10/23/2012, 07:48 PM

Yea almost done with cycle and you have a fish. Not cool.
But anyway its normal and added water flow in these areas helps as with some type of bio filter to remove it from the water as it floats.

Tank Girl · 10/23/2012, 07:52 PM

Just diatoms, usualy they will go away in few weeks. Add some nassarius snails to stir the sand.

tanksfishtank · 10/23/2012, 07:54 PM

Cyano, Happens to all new setups. Will go away with time and proper maintenance.

dzfish17 · 10/23/2012, 09:33 PM

A good read on algae...http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...4z9jHhlOMmJmuQ

alphamalle · 10/24/2012, 07:41 AM

yea i had a pair of clowns and a bar goby. this is my first tank and i was just doing exactly what my lfs told me as i didnt have any other ideas on what i should be doing.Shortly after i realized i was misinformed although i dont understand how to do it another way its done now so no sense on dwelling on the past.

stlcard · 10/24/2012, 09:43 AM

diatoms, not cyano. Diatoms will go away as soon as their source of food is expired. They feed on sillicates, can be found in sand mixtures and as residue on aquarium new equipment.

Everyone gets diatoms. Itll be like that for a little while, but eventually go away. Although ugly, it is a blessing in disguise as diatoms show that you are nearing the end of your cycle, and your tank is headed in the right direction. The next big step?.... Green hair algae =)

10/23/2012, 09:33 PM	#8
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	A good read on algae...http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...4z9jHhlOMmJmuQ __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

10/23/2012, 02:54 PM	#2
WillM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 663	Here are some cool related articles on this same site that cover that exact topic: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...NsXs0gGYl4C4Ag

10/23/2012, 07:27 PM	#3
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Diatoms or cyano. Common with new setups. I have seen on both my tanks it dissipate in about 3 months. Until then increase flow and siphon it off. Worked for me.

10/23/2012, 07:45 PM	#4
eutimio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 102	do I see a clown in there?fish-in cycle?

10/23/2012, 07:48 PM	#5
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Yea almost done with cycle and you have a fish. Not cool. But anyway its normal and added water flow in these areas helps as with some type of bio filter to remove it from the water as it floats.

10/23/2012, 07:52 PM	#6
Tank Girl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 96	Just diatoms, usualy they will go away in few weeks. Add some nassarius snails to stir the sand.

10/23/2012, 07:54 PM	#7
tanksfishtank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bettendorf, IA Posts: 335	Cyano, Happens to all new setups. Will go away with time and proper maintenance.

10/24/2012, 07:41 AM	#9
alphamalle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 38	yea i had a pair of clowns and a bar goby. this is my first tank and i was just doing exactly what my lfs told me as i didnt have any other ideas on what i should be doing.Shortly after i realized i was misinformed although i dont understand how to do it another way its done now so no sense on dwelling on the past.

10/24/2012, 09:43 AM	#10
stlcard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 317	diatoms, not cyano. Diatoms will go away as soon as their source of food is expired. They feed on sillicates, can be found in sand mixtures and as residue on aquarium new equipment. Everyone gets diatoms. Itll be like that for a little while, but eventually go away. Although ugly, it is a blessing in disguise as diatoms show that you are nearing the end of your cycle, and your tank is headed in the right direction. The next big step?.... Green hair algae =)