how do i get rid of algae on sand?

[daniella3d]

First thing first, you must ID the algae that is causing the problem because the treatment is very different.

Like for dinoflagellates, raising the PH to 8.4 or 8.5 solved my problem 100%. I found getting rid of dino the easiest thing I have ever done in my aquarium. I used Seachem OH balance to raise my PH slowly.

http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/balance.html

for cyanobacteria it is a bit more complicated and the nutriments in the water are too high.

As for if you have too many fish, if your nitrates rise fast even with water change than you have too many.

The best way to ID the algae is to use a small microscope that can do 200X or if possible 400X. At 200X you still can see them. That way it is very easy to ID dino, diatomes or cyano.

Second is to test your water for ammonia, nitrites and especialy nitrates and phosphates. Put some GFO (ferric oxide) in your filter (rinse it well). That will remove the phosphates.

Plus what is the source of your water? RO or tap? if you are using RO water check the TDS to make sure it is efficient. If you are using tap, stop using that as you might just fuel more the algae with every water change. Buy a RO unit.

Originally Posted by Capt_kulafu

hello fellas i'm running 30g saltwater for 5months my problem is how do i get rid of algae on sand? every 2 weeks 20% water change and by using siphon tube.

my filter is HOB w/ protein skimmer

livestock:
1 lawnmower blenny
1 domino damsel
1 blue yellow tail damsel
1 blue damsel
1 yellow damsel
1 black clownfish
4 or more hermit crab
2 or more snails

[Capt_kulafu]

thanks for the help!!

Originally Posted by daniella3d

First thing first, you must ID the algae that is causing the problem because the treatment is very different.

Like for dinoflagellates, raising the PH to 8.4 or 8.5 solved my problem 100%. I found getting rid of dino the easiest thing I have ever done in my aquarium. I used Seachem OH balance to raise my PH slowly.

http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/balance.html

for cyanobacteria it is a bit more complicated and the nutriments in the water are too high.

As for if you have too many fish, if your nitrates rise fast even with water change than you have too many.

The best way to ID the algae is to use a small microscope that can do 200X or if possible 400X. At 200X you still can see them. That way it is very easy to ID dino, diatomes or cyano.

Second is to test your water for ammonia, nitrites and especialy nitrates and phosphates. Put some GFO (ferric oxide) in your filter (rinse it well). That will remove the phosphates.

Plus what is the source of your water? RO or tap? if you are using RO water check the TDS to make sure it is efficient. If you are using tap, stop using that as you might just fuel more the algae with every water change. Buy a RO unit.

[Capt_kulafu]

please see and check my problem on my tank!!

thanks

fish 2.jpg - that's my filter (left) coralia (center) and skimmer (right)
fish 3.jpg - that's my problem right know!!

[daniella3d]

That looks like cyanobacteria. Reduce nutriment, do water change and syphon out as much as you can and put ferric oxide in your filtration or skimmer.

You can also try to reduce the lighting period until it receade.

What are your nitrates and phosphates? You probably have a lot of dissolved organic in the tank and syphoning the sand and doing water change will help.

Red Slime Remover can help but it is just a quick fix and if the reasons for the cyano are not taken car of, it will return stronger.

You probably have a lot of dissolved organic trapped in your sand and syphoning that out will help.

Originally Posted by Capt_kulafu

please see and check my problem on my tank!!

thanks

fish 2.jpg - that's my filter (left) coralia (center) and skimmer (right)
fish 3.jpg - that's my problem right know!!

[Capt_kulafu]

thanks for the help!!! i appreciate it!!

Originally Posted by daniella3d

That looks like cyanobacteria. Reduce nutriment, do water change and syphon out as much as you can and put ferric oxide in your filtration or skimmer.

You can also try to reduce the lighting period until it receade.

What are your nitrates and phosphates? You probably have a lot of dissolved organic in the tank and syphoning the sand and doing water change will help.

Red Slime Remover can help but it is just a quick fix and if the reasons for the cyano are not taken car of, it will return stronger.

You probably have a lot of dissolved organic trapped in your sand and syphoning that out will help.

[untamed]

I've never been able to permanently get rid of the cyano that appears on my sand. (I have large fish, and they eat a LOT) However, I can control it. What I do is vacuum the sand bed every now and then, and immediately follow the vacuum by 24-36 hours of darkness. I find that really knocks it back and it will remain gone for quite a while.

The darkness doesn't seem to bother any coral or fish. Sometimes, I'll even feed the fish a bit during the dark day.