Algae problem (early stages)

[ERASEF301]

Hello there. I have a new 300 gallon tank. It has two 250 watt metal hailde lights on it (10 HOURS per day). I have a sand bed with real sand (not agronite). Only in one spot in the tank there is a build up of a grey/purple algae. I mix the sand with a stick every day to try and break up the algae. I'm guessing it is there due to a low water flow area. Everywhere else in the tank the sand remains pure white. I'm probably going to purchase a second pump for that side of the tank and generate more water flow but wondered if anyone had this problem or knew what kind of algae it was. I have several blue legged hermits but have not seen them eat it. Is there anything I could use to eat the algae? Thanks for all of your help. Brian

 

[Dr4g0nf1y]

If it breaks apart that easily it's cyanobacteria not an algae.

 

[ERASEF301]

I have used chemiclean to kill cyano before in my old 55 gallon. It always worked. However, I now have a 300 gallon plus a 100 gallon sump. It would take alot of chemiclean to kill the cyano. Do you have any other suggestions to removing it and preventing it in the future? Thanks...

 

[Dr4g0nf1y]

I believe in larger tanks the usual fixes are upgraded flow at the particular area.

Maybe the addition of a cucumber to clean the bacteria from the upper sand layer?

 

[ERASEF301]

Where would I put the cucumber? What would that do? Just one? Do I cut it up? Thanks....

 

[Star Fish Jones]

I think he means a Sea Cucumber, not salad!

I have used "Red Slime Remover" for my cyano in a 300+ Gal system. It worked great both all 3 times.

Now I have a Sand Sifting blenny and he keeps the sand clean for over 8 months now.

Good luck!

 

[Dr4g0nf1y]

Correct. A sea cucumber the animal, not the vegetation kind.

To be honest I've had some bad long term effects that I've associated to the Red Slime Remover product so I can't honesly recommend it. However everyone has their own experience with it.