Algae On Sand Bed Only

[customdusty]

I'm having an issue with spots of hair algae that are growing out of my sand bed. It doesn't seem like regular hair algae because it doesn't continue to grow long, it just grows outward and lumps the sand together. Kind of looks like tiny spots of grass. All of my parameters test good, I use RO water, all corals including SPS are doing great, and none of my CUC seem interested in consuming it. This has happened in just the past month or so, while I haven't made changes.

I don't have much in the way of algae on the glass, a sweep with a magnet cleaner every few days keeps it perfect. Nothing much in the way of unwanted algae on the rocks, no bubble algae to speak of - just this stuff on the sand bed.

How do I correct it? If I just keep scooping it out, I will run out of sand eventually.

[rgrobe]

It may be coincidence that it is only growing on the sand bed. It may be that the light is concentrated there more. Nuisance algaes can be caused by excessive lighting, nutrients, and phosphates. I had algae problems until recently. Did regular water changes, skim, reduced lighting periods, chaeto in the fuge. I tested regularly for phosphates and testing showed zero. I found most test kits will not register at the lowest phosphate levels that still cause algae growth. I was fortunate that I was able to test my water with a hanna phosphate meter. I had almost 0.06 phosphate, 0.05 being the upper desireable level with 0.015 being optimum. Started skimming wet for a while, rinsed my frozen foods before feeding, ditched my cheap carbon, and changed out my GFO. My phosphates are consistently at 0.02 now and algae problems are gone.

I now have new concerns though. I have to be sure to keep an adequate supply of dry seaweed available for the tang and blenny.

[The Saltman]

Originally posted by customdusty
I'm having an issue with spots of hair algae that are growing out of my sand bed. It doesn't seem like regular hair algae because it doesn't continue to grow long, it just grows outward and lumps the sand together. Kind of looks like tiny spots of grass. All of my parameters test good, I use RO water, all corals including SPS are doing great, and none of my CUC seem interested in consuming it. This has happened in just the past month or so, while I haven't made changes.

I don't have much in the way of algae on the glass, a sweep with a magnet cleaner every few days keeps it perfect. Nothing much in the way of unwanted algae on the rocks, no bubble algae to speak of - just this stuff on the sand bed.

How do I correct it? If I just keep scooping it out, I will run out of sand eventually.

I have this exact situation and am trying to find answers as well. I do the usual that everyone recommends such as water changes, aggressive skimming, etc. My nitrates and phosphates are 0 with carbon dosing, yet the sandbed is the only problem I have.

[jbird69]

It sounds like theres some kind of nutrient harbored in the sand bed that is fueling the growth.

[The Saltman]

Originally posted by jbird69
It sounds like theres some kind of nutrient harbored in the sand bed that is fueling the growth.

I would agree and would think it would go away in time when everything leaches out , but who really knows.

[The Saltman]

I may try zeovits new product though called zeozyme. Its supposed to help with algae sandbed issues.

[InsaneClownFish]

Is it possible you have bryopsis?

[customdusty]

Byropsis it may very well be. I did read a thread about treating it by raising magnesium levels, but I'm not convinced that it is an appropriate solution.

I also do have a fuge loaded with cheato - and I do have a phosphate/carbon reactor, but I don't run it continuously.

I typically only try to change one thing at a time, and move slowly when I do so.

For now, I have re-positioned my powerheads to blow aggressively along the sand bed to prevent the settling of food/waste in the areas that seem to have been affected the most consistently. After having manually removed some of it, I will see if it starts to pop up again.