Why is my sand green?

NorthernReef · 05/22/2007, 09:34 AM

What kind of algae do you think this is? There is only one small little spot on my rocks, but every day my sand gets greener and greener! I tried lightly stirring the top layer to loosen it up so that my filter and skimmer can suck it out, but it's back in an hour or two.

Thanks for your help!

Shagsbeard · 05/22/2007, 09:37 AM

You need:

A clean up crew.
Better circulation.
More live rock.
Less worry.

NorthernReef · 05/22/2007, 10:16 AM

I just set up the tank in this picture (10 gallon mantis), but pulled everything from my existing 75 gal. including the sand and rock. There is about 15 lbs of rock in this tank, just stacked into Mantis Mountain on the other side of the tank.

The problem is in the 75, too. In that tank I have 80-90 lbs. live rock, a CUC consisting of nassarius, astrea & turbo snails, red and blue leg hermits and a serpent star.

I have 20X turnover flow.

What improvements do you suggest I make to improve what I already have?

Thanks

pmvalenti · 05/22/2007, 10:37 AM

what kind of lighting is on the 75?

drummereef · 05/22/2007, 10:38 AM

Algae blooms are a normal part of new tank setups. I would continue to use RO/DI water if you aren't already and let the tank do it's thing.

NorthernReef · 05/22/2007, 11:01 AM

I have a 4x65w PC fixture with 2x actinic and 2x 10,000K. New bulbs in January.

The tank is not new. I inherited it from my cousin and it has been up and running for about 5 years.

drummereef · 05/22/2007, 09:10 PM

Ok, are you using RO/DI water and know the TDS? Do you know what your nitrates and phosphates are testing?

seapug · 05/22/2007, 10:30 PM

The local Petco near me gets that crazy green stuff in their saltwater tanks, but only in their fish only tanks-- none of the tanks they house crabs or invertebrates have it. I'm sure they use the same city tap water I do and I don't have the problem. I suspect its somehow related to not having enough organic matter consumers in the tank in the way of filter feeding/absorbing invertebrates or from medications used to treat their fish-only tanks. Just a guess.

05/22/2007, 09:34 AM	#1
NorthernReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: U.P. of Michigan Posts: 30	Why is my sand green? What kind of algae do you think this is? There is only one small little spot on my rocks, but every day my sand gets greener and greener! I tried lightly stirring the top layer to loosen it up so that my filter and skimmer can suck it out, but it's back in an hour or two. Thanks for your help!

05/22/2007, 10:38 AM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Algae blooms are a normal part of new tank setups. I would continue to use RO/DI water if you aren't already and let the tank do it's thing. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

05/22/2007, 09:10 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Ok, are you using RO/DI water and know the TDS? Do you know what your nitrates and phosphates are testing? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

05/22/2007, 10:30 PM	#8
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	The local Petco near me gets that crazy green stuff in their saltwater tanks, but only in their fish only tanks-- none of the tanks they house crabs or invertebrates have it. I'm sure they use the same city tap water I do and I don't have the problem. I suspect its somehow related to not having enough organic matter consumers in the tank in the way of filter feeding/absorbing invertebrates or from medications used to treat their fish-only tanks. Just a guess. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

05/22/2007, 09:37 AM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	You need: A clean up crew. Better circulation. More live rock. Less worry.

05/22/2007, 10:16 AM	#3
NorthernReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: U.P. of Michigan Posts: 30	I just set up the tank in this picture (10 gallon mantis), but pulled everything from my existing 75 gal. including the sand and rock. There is about 15 lbs of rock in this tank, just stacked into Mantis Mountain on the other side of the tank. The problem is in the 75, too. In that tank I have 80-90 lbs. live rock, a CUC consisting of nassarius, astrea & turbo snails, red and blue leg hermits and a serpent star. I have 20X turnover flow. What improvements do you suggest I make to improve what I already have? Thanks

05/22/2007, 10:37 AM	#4
pmvalenti Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: bear de Posts: 262	what kind of lighting is on the 75?

05/22/2007, 11:01 AM	#6
NorthernReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: U.P. of Michigan Posts: 30	I have a 4x65w PC fixture with 2x actinic and 2x 10,000K. New bulbs in January. The tank is not new. I inherited it from my cousin and it has been up and running for about 5 years.