Algea on sand like this normal??

JonV88 · 12/15/2013, 02:02 PM

Is this normal should I get something to shift the sand around more??

fpv930 · 12/15/2013, 05:54 PM

Really not enough information regarding the tank and setup. Age, filtration, amount of LR, inhabitants, Water test readings etc.
The algae can be normal or a result of something else. Has there been a recent change in the system?
I have a 10g nano and have recently have algae growth due to my T-5 bulbs being old. Once replaced the tank went back to normal.

mike_cmu04 · 12/15/2013, 05:57 PM

It looks like cyano try getting some more water movement in the display and a better clean up crew to help. Also the questions asked above as well as water parameters will help to narrow the problem down also.

sleepydoc · 12/15/2013, 07:59 PM

+1
Hard to say - could be cyano or some other form of algae in its early stages.

Hazratty · 12/15/2013, 09:08 PM

I agree with the above post on needing more information on your system, judging by your post I'm going to assume this is a fairly new tank.

How much water flow do you hvae and your water parameters I bet your Phosphates Nitrates are high.

I would treat why the algae is happening but sand sifters are always good.

JAnwyl · 12/15/2013, 10:45 PM

I'm in favor of the Algae Scrubber. I want to say it would solve your problem but I really don't know. Has helped a **** load of others.

P.S. I think its cyno.

JonV88 · 12/15/2013, 11:05 PM

It's a 6 month old 29 gal tank filtration i have a fluval 70 hob, psk 75 skimmer, a 450 power head just did a WC before introducing my first two fish to the tank they are a pair of snow flake clowns, clean up crew is 3 hermits 1 electric blue hermit crab 1 emerald crab 4 turbo snails I got 10 nassarius snails but have only seen around 4 prob 9 because I found an empty shell 1 blood shrimp 1 astrea snail
Water perameters
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate between 0-5 was 10 before WC
Phosphate .25
calcium 400

JonV88 · 12/15/2013, 11:06 PM

Oh and lighting is a t5 10,000k fluorescent bulb and 1 blue fluorescent bulb

JonV88 · 12/15/2013, 11:18 PM

And salinity is at 1.026

Empty Bottles · 12/16/2013, 03:21 AM

Phosphate is high. Could be part of the problem.

Art13 · 12/16/2013, 06:51 AM

Do some research and pick the one you like the most on removing phosphate, as i'm just about positive that is your issue. It was with my tank, my only advice, give whatever you try out about 1-2 months to work, it won't be an overnight fix. Just plan ahead. I went the route of a reactor with rowaphos and it took about a month and a half and 5 or so media changes for me to get rid of my cyano and hair outbreak.

fpv930 · 12/16/2013, 09:24 AM

I am in agreement with tying to lower phosphates and giving time to take affect. Also, depending on the lighting you have usually the T-5 bulbs that come with a light are inferior and do not last that long. I find most T-5 lights start to degrade at about 6 months. It might be worth looking into and changing out the bulbs with quality bulbs like Giesemann or ATI.
What ever you decide make one change at a time and monitor for changes in the system.

Sugar Magnolia · 12/16/2013, 09:33 AM

Start running some GFO in your HOB skimmer.

12/15/2013, 02:02 PM	#1
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	Algea on sand like this normal?? Is this normal should I get something to shift the sand around more??

12/15/2013, 05:54 PM	#2
fpv930 Reef Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syracuse New York Posts: 292	Really not enough information regarding the tank and setup. Age, filtration, amount of LR, inhabitants, Water test readings etc. The algae can be normal or a result of something else. Has there been a recent change in the system? I have a 10g nano and have recently have algae growth due to my T-5 bulbs being old. Once replaced the tank went back to normal. __________________ 36 Bow front, 10g nano and building a 90g in my basement Always dreaming of a bigger tank!!

12/15/2013, 05:57 PM	#3
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	It looks like cyano try getting some more water movement in the display and a better clean up crew to help. Also the questions asked above as well as water parameters will help to narrow the problem down also. __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

12/15/2013, 07:59 PM	#4
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	+1 Hard to say - could be cyano or some other form of algae in its early stages. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

12/16/2013, 03:21 AM	#10
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 291	Phosphate is high. Could be part of the problem. __________________ 60" 100 gallon Mixed Reef Currently under reconstruction. Current Tank Info: 100G Reef

12/15/2013, 09:08 PM	#5
Hazratty Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 55	I agree with the above post on needing more information on your system, judging by your post I'm going to assume this is a fairly new tank. How much water flow do you hvae and your water parameters I bet your Phosphates Nitrates are high. I would treat why the algae is happening but sand sifters are always good.

12/15/2013, 10:45 PM	#6
JAnwyl Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA Posts: 239	I'm in favor of the Algae Scrubber. I want to say it would solve your problem but I really don't know. Has helped a **** load of others. P.S. I think its cyno.

12/15/2013, 11:05 PM	#7
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	It's a 6 month old 29 gal tank filtration i have a fluval 70 hob, psk 75 skimmer, a 450 power head just did a WC before introducing my first two fish to the tank they are a pair of snow flake clowns, clean up crew is 3 hermits 1 electric blue hermit crab 1 emerald crab 4 turbo snails I got 10 nassarius snails but have only seen around 4 prob 9 because I found an empty shell 1 blood shrimp 1 astrea snail Water perameters Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate between 0-5 was 10 before WC Phosphate .25 calcium 400

12/15/2013, 11:06 PM	#8
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	Oh and lighting is a t5 10,000k fluorescent bulb and 1 blue fluorescent bulb

12/15/2013, 11:18 PM	#9
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	And salinity is at 1.026

12/16/2013, 06:51 AM	#11
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	Do some research and pick the one you like the most on removing phosphate, as i'm just about positive that is your issue. It was with my tank, my only advice, give whatever you try out about 1-2 months to work, it won't be an overnight fix. Just plan ahead. I went the route of a reactor with rowaphos and it took about a month and a half and 5 or so media changes for me to get rid of my cyano and hair outbreak.

12/16/2013, 09:24 AM	#12
fpv930 Reef Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syracuse New York Posts: 292	I am in agreement with tying to lower phosphates and giving time to take affect. Also, depending on the lighting you have usually the T-5 bulbs that come with a light are inferior and do not last that long. I find most T-5 lights start to degrade at about 6 months. It might be worth looking into and changing out the bulbs with quality bulbs like Giesemann or ATI. What ever you decide make one change at a time and monitor for changes in the system. __________________ 36 Bow front, 10g nano and building a 90g in my basement Always dreaming of a bigger tank!!

12/16/2013, 09:33 AM	#13
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Start running some GFO in your HOB skimmer. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.