how do i mantain sand?

[reef4ever]

i have a 29 gallon with sand .one sand sifting star, blue spot sleeper (doesnt sift sand),5 sand sifting snails. it just started like a mat of green brown algea on sand.what do i need to do?

 

[madnav87]

how long has the tank been set up for?
Its probably still cycling, and in that case just wait it out, the diatoms will die off eveuntially

But if it is not cycling, then you might have a problem with phosphates....especially if you arent using RO water

 

[sir_dudeguy]

nitrates too feed algae. But i agree with madnav...just thought i'd add to it basically..test for both nitrates and phosphates

 

[reef4ever]

will a abalone help?

 

[madnav87]

i would skip on the abalone and allow the algae to die off naturally after the cycle
the abalone might actually contribute to the bioload

 

[Jocko]

One life form that is really good at removing algae from sand is a human. They're cheap too! Don't worry though, this is just a phase that new tanks go through. You're on your way!

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

Just a thought:

You might want to rethink the sandsifting star. In a tank that small it will likely deplete all of its food and eventually die of starvation burried in the sand where you might not find it.

Like I said, just a thought.