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05/12/2006, 10:08 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,066
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Sand Turning Black?
Alright everyone i have a question, i have been noticing the past couple days the my sand is turning black, i really have no idea what is causeing this. It is just starting in a few spots that i can see (through the glass) right now, but im sure there are more inside the tank that i cannot see. I can take some pics later if needed, but maybe this is kind of common. Also i have to admit that i stirred the sand bed up about a week ago to try and get out some of the diatoms growing on it. Let me know what you all think.
Mike |
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05/12/2006, 10:26 AM
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#2 |
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Premium Member
 Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Posts: 821
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red slime algae? usually comes after a diatom bloom... gonna need a pic or two bud...
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05/12/2006, 11:05 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bushkill, PA
Posts: 3,632
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Cyano can be black too.
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Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more! |
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05/12/2006, 11:14 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Perry, OK
Posts: 13,946
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Is it in the sand or on the sand? If it is on it, I would suspect either Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, or Dinoflagellates. Most likely the first. If it is in the sand, it is Hydrogen Sulfide build up.
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Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront |
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05/12/2006, 11:17 AM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,066
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yeah, know this is not on the sand it is in the sand, i moved a little bit of it and it appears that the actual sand is turning black???
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05/12/2006, 11:36 AM
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#6 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mobile, AL
Posts: 6,611
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Sounds like bound metal sulfides, possibly. Some cyanobacteria actually occur in the sediments, so it certainly be that also.
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You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO |
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05/12/2006, 11:37 AM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Perry, OK
Posts: 13,946
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It is hydrogen sulfide. Don't disturb your sand so much. You could poison your tank. If you take some of it out and smell it, it won't smell very good. This usually happens when too many nutrients are building up in the sand quicker than the bacteria can take it out. I would cut back on feedings for sure. I recommend popping over to the Reef Chemistry forum and reading up on Hydrogen Sulfide.
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Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront |
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05/12/2006, 11:39 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,066
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alright, thanks...
Mike |
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