Film of algea on sand bed

[amethyst212]

i am having a really bad algae problem.
levels are as follows

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate .5
salinity 1.026

only thing in tank at this moment is an algae blenny, and three turbo snails,i dont want to add anything else in tank until this problem is taken care of.
i have reduced lights gradually to at least 4 hours a day and the film still keeps on growing, and the film is on on my sand bed

what can i do

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Need pics, sounds like cyano but can't be sure without pics.

 

[amethyst212]

ok give me a sec

 

[amethyst212]

 

[amethyst212]

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Cyano, increase flow in that tank and do a water change. Test your params then. I would also run some carbon and stop adding any chemicals to the tank.

 

[digitalreefer]

What are your phosphate levels? Are you running any phosphate remover?

 

[amethyst212]

no i am not and my husband just reminded me that the last water change i did i bought this no frills brand of water becuase i could not find the brand i always use, can that be a problem.

 

[nanoreefer22]

It could be the problem? It was still Distilled water right?? I've never seen green "Cyano", could it possibly something else? You should try running phosban on the tank.

How old is the tank?? Could it just be part of the cycle? Also what size and lighting are you running?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ok here's my quetion to you, are you using Distilled? RO? Premixed saltwater?

 

[amethyst212]

distilled water and the brand that i always use was deer park and then i went to the store and ran out dso i bought the store brand and since then i have been having this problem.

 

[DevIouS]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Test for phosphates and get some flow on that sand bed area. Run carbon and try a water change.

 

[nanoreefer22]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm

I learn something new everyday :approve:

 

[amethyst212]

the carbon that my husband just bought come mixed with ammo chips should i just get the pure carbon mixed.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ammo chips are not for saltwater use get reg carbon.

 

[DevIouS]

Cyano comes in different shades: Red, Brown, Blue / Green.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Do you have that mixed carbon/ammo chips in your system now?

 

[amethyst212]

yeah but i just took it out so im gonna let it run like that for now until i go exchange this stuff.

are there inverts that can control this.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Cerith snails are said to eat cyano but nothing is certain about it.

Only run reg everyday normal carbon in the filter, Ammo stuff is only for freshwater.

Do a small water change when you can.