Brown Algae at the sand Bed?

[tracer342]

I have been having this battle for almost 6 months now.

I was wondering how I can get rid of this brown algae (Light Algae) from the top of my sand bed. I disturb the sand bed to get rid of the spots at night when I come home from work. Then in the morning when my Radeons turn on, the tank is nice and clean looking. After I come home, the brown algae spots are there again. This is daily. I have been messing around with the lighting and this has not made any changes. I have had several different Lighting from T5 to LEDs. I have been testing my parameters for 3 years every weekend. I believe daily testing is over kill from my own experiences.

So any help can help. Please.

 

[Will]

Are you sure it's not Cyano ..Have you checked your Phosphate .Sometimes the dark red cyano can almost appear brown. Or maybe Diatoms ??? ....If it's algae of some nature then it's nearly always from nutrients
Do you have enuf flow in the tank...???. Do you clean( vacuum the sandbed)???

I have 2 reef tanks and my smaller one (20 gal)now has an outbreak of Cyano. I know it's from Phosphates even tho I don't get any on my test reading.

 

[tracer342]

I do not vaccum the sandbed. I have read a lot and found that disturbing the sand bed is very detrimental. I have an MP40 and a 1400 Koralia in the tank. I believe there is enough flow. Phosphates are always 0.02. So Phosphates is not an issue. I have GFO and Carbon running and also two bags of ChemiPure Elite.

Thanks. Any other suggestions?

 

[edd]

i had that in two back corners of my tank. redirected some current to those spots and never had a problem again.

 

[Keyman]

Went was the last time you change your RODI filters.

 

[piranhapat]

Bacteria and Diatoms sounds like to me. You can add some more bacteria. You should siphon top layer of sand when you see a lot of brown diatoms on sand. Or just play it out tank has to mature.

 

[Will]

You didn't say what type of sandbed you have in your tank......
You can clean(vacuum) a shallow sand bed without worry, An established deep sandbed 4inches or more is something you don't disturb. I have had various tanks with both types.
If it isn't a bacteria bloom then it's algae. It has to be one or the other.... Cyano bacteria is problematic but can be gotten rid of with water changes and other means. I think there is a sticky on it. Either way to me nutrients of some sort and light are always the cause.

 

[yesjenks]

What's your light cycle?

 

[tracer342]

My light cycle if the natural reef mode on the Ecotech Radeons.
As far as the Sand Bed, I have mixed aragonite, it is about 4" deep.
I have been disturbing the top layer as I see the Algae more in the dead spots (less Flow).
I have changed my filter pads in my sump, moved my MP 40 around and re-did most of my rock work. Also Changed out my Chemi-Pure Elite. I ordered another MP 10 take care of the other side of the tank.

"Tell me what you guys think about having a Powerhead in the sump for flow. Because that is what I have been doing since the beginning. I have a 1400GPH powerhead in there because I read about CO2 against natural oxygen displacement during the night when the lights go out and also to keep my PH elevated."

 

[peteyboyny]

If you dont have them already, nassarius snails can help "stir up" a deep sand bed without having any detrimental affects. BUT, you need to find and cure the problem that's causing the algae bloom. There's a lot to be considered. Livestock/bio-load? RO filters? Carbon? Filter socks? How often do you do your water changes?

 

[peteyboyny]

Oops. Didn't see the GFO/carbon. How often do you change the media?

 

[peteyboyny]

I had a similar problem a few mos back. I keep a 1/2" sandbed, so stiring it up wasn't a problem. I became diligent about my weekly water changes and changing out filter media regularly. It took a few weeks, but it got rid of it in my tank.
Testing your RO water is a good start. Even regular cleaning of water storage containers could help.

 

[Edjersey]

get diamond goby they will clean it up in a day or 2 I have 1 on my 75g and my sand is super clean..