brown and red algae covering my sand

fishaman · 06/02/2009, 07:43 PM

I have this reddissh / brownish algae that's covering the top of my DSB. Trying to remove it with the net isn't the easiest thing to do....Any suggestions?

terrinstevereef · 06/02/2009, 08:35 PM

Sounds like cyno or diatoms, How long has your tank been up and what are your parameters.

The only real way to get rid of it is starve it. You can try running GFO to remove phosphates and it will help, but you need to find the source of the nutrients, possibly over feeding?

Aquarist007 · 06/02/2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by terrinstevereef
Sounds like cyno or diatoms, How long has your tank been up and what are your parameters.

The only real way to get rid of it is starve it. You can try running GFO to remove phosphates and it will help, but you need to find the source of the nutrients, possibly over feeding?

how much flow do you have in your tank?

BurntOutReefer · 06/02/2009, 09:28 PM

increase flow (per Capn). How old is the tank

reefscape15 · 06/03/2009, 03:59 AM

Sounds like Cyano. Like capn and burntout said, adjust your flow. Try to make it so you get a nice stream of water flowing right over your sandbed, but be careful not to be blowing the sand all over your tank

reefscape15 · 06/03/2009, 04:00 AM

BTW my cyano battle lasted almost a year and a half, so don't expect anything to be an imediate change

racefanfoster · 06/03/2009, 05:05 AM

Capn and above sound right on about cyano.

It is really just a part of the cycle process, increase your flow, and suck all you can out with your water changes.

You might also consider a sand sifting goby as they keep things churned up and keep it from getting established.

Good luck and do not let it discourage you.

racefanfoster · 06/03/2009, 05:12 AM

Should have also added, If you are using RO water?

If not do so as that will make a huge difference.

fishaman · 06/03/2009, 07:42 PM

Thanks everyone. i just realized that my return pump died...not sure how long along so i'm almost certain that's the reason. Once I replace it, i will see if things improve. Thanks again!

CloruroDiSodio · 06/04/2009, 09:07 AM

+1 on flow. I have found that cerith snails make great sand sifters

eyecancer · 06/04/2009, 12:30 PM

He said he has a DSB, will a sifting goby disrupt this? Or will he only skim the top layers? Same questions for the snails.

06/02/2009, 07:43 PM	#1
fishaman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 163	brown and red algae covering my sand I have this reddissh / brownish algae that's covering the top of my DSB. Trying to remove it with the net isn't the easiest thing to do....Any suggestions? __________________ (1) Foxface (2) Skunk Clowns (4) Osc Clowns (Nemo) (1) lawnmower blenny (1) Orange Goby (1) bullet goby (1) yellow tang (1) hippo tang (1) firefish (2) purple firefish (1) blue damsel (1) fireshrimp (4) peppermint shrimp (2) emerald crabs (1) engineer goby A few (10) pieces of corals (all frags) A host of snails and blue leg crabs If I had it my way, I would spend half my day fishing and the other half watching my fish! Fishaman Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Saltwater

06/02/2009, 08:35 PM	#2
terrinstevereef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Posts: 108	Sounds like cyno or diatoms, How long has your tank been up and what are your parameters. The only real way to get rid of it is starve it. You can try running GFO to remove phosphates and it will help, but you need to find the source of the nutrients, possibly over feeding? __________________ Weeeeeeeee! Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Oceanic w/95lbs of Fiji/Tonga/Marshall Live rock, 120lbs of live sand. 33Gallon sump, AMS G1X skimmer, Current Outer Orbit T5HO 2x250 14K MH + 4x54 T5

06/03/2009, 03:59 AM	#5
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Sounds like Cyano. Like capn and burntout said, adjust your flow. Try to make it so you get a nice stream of water flowing right over your sandbed, but be careful not to be blowing the sand all over your tank __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

06/03/2009, 04:00 AM	#6
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	BTW my cyano battle lasted almost a year and a half, so don't expect anything to be an imediate change __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

06/03/2009, 05:05 AM	#7
racefanfoster Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Crime Free O.B. MS Posts: 54	Capn and above sound right on about cyano. It is really just a part of the cycle process, increase your flow, and suck all you can out with your water changes. You might also consider a sand sifting goby as they keep things churned up and keep it from getting established. Good luck and do not let it discourage you. __________________ "I'M Gumby Dammit"! Eddie Murphy Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-15gal sump

06/02/2009, 09:28 PM	#4
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	increase flow (per Capn). How old is the tank

06/03/2009, 05:12 AM	#8
racefanfoster Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Crime Free O.B. MS Posts: 54	Should have also added, If you are using RO water? If not do so as that will make a huge difference. __________________ "I'M Gumby Dammit"! Eddie Murphy Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-15gal sump

06/03/2009, 07:42 PM	#9
fishaman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 163	Thanks everyone. i just realized that my return pump died...not sure how long along so i'm almost certain that's the reason. Once I replace it, i will see if things improve. Thanks again! __________________ (1) Foxface (2) Skunk Clowns (4) Osc Clowns (Nemo) (1) lawnmower blenny (1) Orange Goby (1) bullet goby (1) yellow tang (1) hippo tang (1) firefish (2) purple firefish (1) blue damsel (1) fireshrimp (4) peppermint shrimp (2) emerald crabs (1) engineer goby A few (10) pieces of corals (all frags) A host of snails and blue leg crabs If I had it my way, I would spend half my day fishing and the other half watching my fish! Fishaman Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Saltwater

06/04/2009, 09:07 AM	#10
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	+1 on flow. I have found that cerith snails make great sand sifters

06/04/2009, 12:30 PM	#11
eyecancer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 8	He said he has a DSB, will a sifting goby disrupt this? Or will he only skim the top layers? Same questions for the snails.