View Full Version : Brown algae on sand...not enough flow?
Anteverius
02/05/2010, 03:19 PM
Ok, here is my problem. I always get this brown algae that forms on the sand in the front of my tank. Even after i clean the sand during a water change, the algae is back within a day.:mad2: Could this be due to a lack of flow? My tank is a 30 cube (~20x20x20) and my only circulation is my return (Mag 5) and a koralia nano. The front of the tank is the only place that this stuff seems to form. Or at least, it forms there the quickest. Here is a picture to illustrate my issue. This was taken less than 24 hrs after cleaning the sand bed. Within a few days, it will form a darker brown mat covering the entire area. Should I increase the flow or get GFO? Not sure on the phosphate params. Any help is appreciated.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Anteverius/dangalgae.jpg
Anteverius
02/05/2010, 03:20 PM
Will hermits or snails deal with this. The ones I have dont seem to do much. Nassarius snail?
saltedwater
02/05/2010, 03:25 PM
check ure phosphate levels.. even the kits stink... maybe get some gfo...
todd141
02/05/2010, 03:27 PM
lots of flow and chemi-pure elite run as the only thing in my canister filter stopped it from appearing on my sandbed.
scotbehot
02/05/2010, 03:35 PM
My pencil urchin cleans the sand quite well, not sure if it is a lack of food on the rocks, but he does a good job of it
Untamed12
02/05/2010, 03:35 PM
That is called cyano algae. It is very difficult to get rid of, but the most common advice is to reduce your nitrates and phosphates.
Anteverius
02/05/2010, 04:05 PM
I dont think it is cyano as I have had that in my FOWLR before. I am gunna try more flow and if that doesnt work, I will get a reactor and start using GFO.
Anteverius
02/05/2010, 04:07 PM
When I said "mat", it isnt really like a full coverage thing like I saw from the cyano I had. More of just lots of the algae.
ambergris caye
02/05/2010, 06:27 PM
Try lowering your temp a few degrees over several days. I went from 76 to 78 and got it. Darkness for about 3 days will kill it... but don't try unless everything else can handle the stress of doing that.
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