annoying algea post # 438553

[noisyreefer]

Hello again,

A week or so ago i posted about some annoying algea i was having. Being new to reef ranks etc. i jump at the first sight of anything in the tank...after asking questions about my algea and what to do i still have the same problem...here is a picture to better help describe what is wrong with my sand...

reddish brown hair like covering on sand...

I really appreciate any help, thanks again

 

[sediener]

looks like cyanobacteria... how are your phosphates?

- steve

 

[gatorracer]

Cyano...

I just won the battle there about a month and a half ago. Here is how I did it, but I am not saying this is the perfect way.

Every night before I shut off the lights I used my tank cleaner to suck out as much cyano as I could kick up. I took out about 5 gallons of water each time I did this and put back in RODI water back in. Shortened photo period to about 7-9 hours a day. Also added Phosban to my filtering system. I took a good 3 weeks of work but it is worth it now. My sand is finally the beautiful sand I see in most of the tanks on the site now. Trust me it will not go away in a week. You need to keep at it to kick the cyano.

Just my theory though

 

[Len]

I find dripping kalkwasser has a positive effect on reducing cyano. And if the cyano just recently appeared when it hadn't been around for months before, I'd consider swapping out your own light bulbs.

 

[ZooKeeper1]

Your sand looks completely devoid of life. You really should get ahold of some good livesand to add to it, or buy a detrivoir package for sandbeds. nassarius snails, and conch's work well at keeping the sand stirred up for you. Sand sifting hermits are great too.