sandbed/algae/nano issues - take your pick.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by rsisvixen

Like I said the crusty stuff is probably diatoms but I couldn't say for sure, perhaps some photos?

I would imagine the zoas are closed perhaps from low ammonia or high nitrate/phosphate, have you tested the water?

no I know what diatoms are, this wasn't it. Diatoms come off in a thin film or maybe with a bit of sand attached. This is an entire layer of sand, thick, chunky and has to be physically broken up with, well this was with my plastic tipped siphon. Its almost like I had an alkalinity event or something with the sand being so chunky. Guess its coming out next waterchange...*sigh*