extendedmango
New member
My three month old tank is having problems with the sand bed being a reddish brown tint instead of white. What does this signify and how can I make it a lighter color.
Sand bed coloration
- Thread starter extendedmango
- Start date
extendedmango
New member
Just two fighting conches and a melanerous wrasse, but I don't think the wrasse cleans sand beds.
Hey mango - looks like cyano or dinoflagellates, but it is hard to tell from the photo. These are most often symptoms of new tanks and can go away themselves, or can indicate an imbalance between nutrient inputs vs. outputs. Additional sand cleaners may not make a difference in this case, but may if all your other parameters are in line. Additional flow might help as well. How do you nitrate and phosphate test results look?
extendedmango
New member
Phosphates are stable but nitrates spiked last week after going on a short vacation. I think my pet sitter over fed
indeed looks like cyano..
Available nutrients - Especially phosphates and iron in this case.
Low flow/Dead Zone - Cyano prefers growing in low flow areas.
Warmer Water - Cyano tends to grow faster in warmer water than in cooler water
Low Alkalinity- While not a cause, higher alkalinity tends to discourage cyano growth.
Possible "contaminated" water source like tap water, that has nutrients fueling the outbreak
Manual Removal: Wipe glass with mag float, light toothbrush hardier corals and the rocks. Cyano on the sand can sometimes be pulled off as a mat and discarded. You should use a net or a siphon to remove the cyano dislodged by the toothbrush. Don't be discouraged if it comes right back, cyano grows fast and is extremely efficient at consuming nutrients.On the bright side, it should die off once nutrients are managed.
Available nutrients - Especially phosphates and iron in this case.
Low flow/Dead Zone - Cyano prefers growing in low flow areas.
Warmer Water - Cyano tends to grow faster in warmer water than in cooler water
Low Alkalinity- While not a cause, higher alkalinity tends to discourage cyano growth.
Possible "contaminated" water source like tap water, that has nutrients fueling the outbreak
Manual Removal: Wipe glass with mag float, light toothbrush hardier corals and the rocks. Cyano on the sand can sometimes be pulled off as a mat and discarded. You should use a net or a siphon to remove the cyano dislodged by the toothbrush. Don't be discouraged if it comes right back, cyano grows fast and is extremely efficient at consuming nutrients.On the bright side, it should die off once nutrients are managed.
Yellow Eyes
Member
It could be cyano. It is simple to get rid of, but takes a few months. First like as stated above get your nutrients under control, feed less, water changes, ensure your RODI water is 0tds. Increase flow in the tank some.
What I have found is the best course of action is 3-day blackouts. Turn off all the lights, cover the tank with a blanket. The 3 days won't affect any coral or fish (its like a "storm" in the sea). On the 4th day run only blue lights, and I do a water change (I can't remember if this is what is recommened or not) but I use this opprotunity to remove the severely weakened cyano. Repeat this once every month for 3 months and cyano will be gone. It worked for me on several occasions.
What I have found is the best course of action is 3-day blackouts. Turn off all the lights, cover the tank with a blanket. The 3 days won't affect any coral or fish (its like a "storm" in the sea). On the 4th day run only blue lights, and I do a water change (I can't remember if this is what is recommened or not) but I use this opprotunity to remove the severely weakened cyano. Repeat this once every month for 3 months and cyano will be gone. It worked for me on several occasions.
hotelbravo
Active member
and what kind of sand are you using??
That's cyano. Happens to every tank, just about. Turn out your lights for 3 days, 4th day mild lighting, while setting your skimmer to peak efficiency. It's a sign of a) a bulb getting old b)window light hitting your tank c) a buildup of nutrients, and d) it just happens. Good skimmer, proper lighting, patience will fix it. It's nothing about sand color or algae, just a transient bacterial problem.
