Sand bed has green alge. Good or bad?

Dingo Dog · 05/28/2006, 09:43 AM

There is a band of almost solid green alge along the front of the tank in my sand bed, and now is starting to appear in a couple of spots on the sand bed's surface.

Would over dosing phytoplanlton be a possible cause?

Do you think this green alge might be removing too much oxygen from the water?

I've also started seeing some green hair alge sprouting on some of the LR too.

I have a sand sifting starfish which does a good job keeping the sufrace clean. Should I just stir up the sand bed a little at a time till the green is gone?

Thanks for your help.

bkv1997 · 05/28/2006, 09:58 AM

What are your phosphate readings? I would test that and make sure it is in check as a first step in resolving the issue.

omni2226 · 05/28/2006, 11:27 AM

If the alga down in the sand is at the front of the tank against the glass ambient light from the room allows it to grow under the sand. Nothing to worry about unless you dislike the color green.

Hairy alga is usaly a sign of excess fertilizer in the form of nitrates/phosphates/disolved organics.

Ensure your skimmer is working good and any filter media is cleaned.

Activated carbon and products such as chemi pure and poly filter can help deal with excess phosphates, along with liquid organics.

05/28/2006, 09:43 AM	#1
Dingo Dog Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 432	Sand bed has green alge. Good or bad? There is a band of almost solid green alge along the front of the tank in my sand bed, and now is starting to appear in a couple of spots on the sand bed's surface. Would over dosing phytoplanlton be a possible cause? Do you think this green alge might be removing too much oxygen from the water? I've also started seeing some green hair alge sprouting on some of the LR too. I have a sand sifting starfish which does a good job keeping the sufrace clean. Should I just stir up the sand bed a little at a time till the green is gone? Thanks for your help.

05/28/2006, 11:27 AM	#3
omni2226 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Middle Florida Posts: 774	If the alga down in the sand is at the front of the tank against the glass ambient light from the room allows it to grow under the sand. Nothing to worry about unless you dislike the color green. Hairy alga is usaly a sign of excess fertilizer in the form of nitrates/phosphates/disolved organics. Ensure your skimmer is working good and any filter media is cleaned. Activated carbon and products such as chemi pure and poly filter can help deal with excess phosphates, along with liquid organics. __________________ I know enough to know I know nothing. Current Tank Info: 55 Marine. 29 Freshwater planted.

05/28/2006, 09:58 AM	#2
bkv1997 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 748	What are your phosphate readings? I would test that and make sure it is in check as a first step in resolving the issue.