Brown algae on live sand....driving me Crazy!!!

New_Reefer_1 · 07/04/2007, 05:43 AM

Could that be because I top off my tank with tap water??

Trigeek · 07/04/2007, 06:41 AM

Yes, it could be. Other factors that may contribute:

-need more flow
-need more nutrient export (better skimmer, macroalage, less bioload/feeding)
-need some detritus eaters (cerith snails, nassarius snails, spaghetti worms, sandbed microfauna)
-the tank is just maturing (only if this is a new set-up)

I had the same problem for a month or two initially and it drove me crazy. I addressed each of the things I listed above and the problem disappeared never to return. However, in my case I think it was just a matter of getting the sandbed/tank more mature and established. My sandbed is loaded with critters now. I see pods and worms and worm holes along the glass. I try to add these things when I can (sand from other reefers tanks etc.)

New_Reefer_1 · 07/04/2007, 10:04 AM

thanks Trigeek...

I acutally have the tank setup since december... however, I moved last month and had to take the whole tank apart... including a 70% water change, new live sand.... same rock/fish... is my tank considered a new one??

gummi · 07/05/2007, 06:06 AM

Trigeek is right.

Other scenario is that your tank is most likely considered new and you're just going through the diatom stage.

Trigeek · 07/05/2007, 08:06 AM

Your new sandbed is probably going through some growing pains. The bacteria count will soon stabilize and things will be happy and white again.

marduc · 07/05/2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by New_Reefer_1
thanks Trigeek...

I acutally have the tank setup since december... however, I moved last month and had to take the whole tank apart... including a 70% water change, new live sand.... same rock/fish... is my tank considered a new one??

Yes, a tank move can upset the balance and make your tank recycle, especially when you replace the sand as well. It will take some time for the denitrifying bacteria to repopulate the anoxic (oxygen starved) regions of the new sand. Also a tank move, and disturbing the old sand could add phosphates and nitrates back into the water column.

Even though you did a 70% water change, your tap water itself is quite likely a source of nitrates and phosphates, this is a common occurance due to our prolific use of both of these to grow our food supply.

I am not going to sugar coat it and say things will clear up in time for you, not as long as you are using tap, perhaps they will, more likely not though. Even if so it will take longer.

Try to get a source of pure water, be it investing in a RO/DI (spending extra for a good unit pays for itself longterm), going to your LFS for water, or even going to the store and buying distilled water in bulk.

New_Reefer_1 · 07/06/2007, 06:32 AM

marduc.... thank you for your good explanation.. I have already bought distilled water in bulk (for now) but I am searching online to find me a good RO/DI unit... hope things will get better soon!

rbtwo4 · 07/06/2007, 09:11 AM

reefer go check out The Filter Guys! they are sponsored by RC. Jim is a great guy and will walk you thru the whole process on what you may need. Go check out the Forum for filter guys too here on RC http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=439 you will see lots of people have had great experiences with them. IMO theyre cheaper too.

kevin2000 · 07/06/2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by New_Reefer_1
I acutally have the tank setup since december... however, I moved last month and had to take the whole tank apart... including a 70% water change, new live sand.... same rock/fish... is my tank considered a new one??

Yes .. moving a semi mature tank and tossing the substrate puts your pretty close back to zero.

It is common for tanks with new substrates to go through a diatom bloom .. that sounds like what your going through.

If your tap water is lousy (most is) then don't use it - even for top offs. The cumulative impact of top off water is significant.

New_Reefer_1 · 07/06/2007, 07:27 PM

rbtwo4,, I will check out the filter guys.... thanks!

kevin2000, I will never use tap water from now on... I bought a lot of distilled water from the store,,, which i am planning to use for now,, until I get my self a nice RO/DI unit.

07/04/2007, 05:43 AM	#1
New_Reefer_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 166	Brown algae on live sand....driving me Crazy!!! Could that be because I top off my tank with tap water??

07/06/2007, 09:11 AM	#8
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	reefer go check out The Filter Guys! they are sponsored by RC. Jim is a great guy and will walk you thru the whole process on what you may need. Go check out the Forum for filter guys too here on RC http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=439 you will see lots of people have had great experiences with them. IMO theyre cheaper too. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/04/2007, 06:41 AM	#2
Trigeek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Broward County, FL Posts: 638	Yes, it could be. Other factors that may contribute: -need more flow -need more nutrient export (better skimmer, macroalage, less bioload/feeding) -need some detritus eaters (cerith snails, nassarius snails, spaghetti worms, sandbed microfauna) -the tank is just maturing (only if this is a new set-up) I had the same problem for a month or two initially and it drove me crazy. I addressed each of the things I listed above and the problem disappeared never to return. However, in my case I think it was just a matter of getting the sandbed/tank more mature and established. My sandbed is loaded with critters now. I see pods and worms and worm holes along the glass. I try to add these things when I can (sand from other reefers tanks etc.)

07/04/2007, 10:04 AM	#3
New_Reefer_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 166	thanks Trigeek... I acutally have the tank setup since december... however, I moved last month and had to take the whole tank apart... including a 70% water change, new live sand.... same rock/fish... is my tank considered a new one??

07/05/2007, 06:06 AM	#4
gummi Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brampton, ON Posts: 282	Trigeek is right. Other scenario is that your tank is most likely considered new and you're just going through the diatom stage.

07/05/2007, 08:06 AM	#5
Trigeek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Broward County, FL Posts: 638	Your new sandbed is probably going through some growing pains. The bacteria count will soon stabilize and things will be happy and white again.

07/06/2007, 06:32 AM	#7
New_Reefer_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 166	marduc.... thank you for your good explanation.. I have already bought distilled water in bulk (for now) but I am searching online to find me a good RO/DI unit... hope things will get better soon!

07/06/2007, 07:27 PM	#10
New_Reefer_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 166	rbtwo4,, I will check out the filter guys.... thanks! kevin2000, I will never use tap water from now on... I bought a lot of distilled water from the store,,, which i am planning to use for now,, until I get my self a nice RO/DI unit.