Sand Clumping

[crabbyKris]

For the past four weeks the sand in my reef tank is clumping together, like there is a film over it so it sticks together. The crabs seem to be gathering in the area and it has a reddish tint that is only visible under the atenics. I have lots of crabs and nassarius.

Recently my yellow Goby (a sand cleaner that was several years old) died suddenly, do you think that this is related? Is my sand sifter star, or conch in any danger?

What do I do about the sand? I have siphoned it, and several times I have stirred it and broken up the clumps, but the stickyness seems to come back.

This is only happening in one portion of the tank, the other sections of sand are fine right now.

 

[Fishie Nut]

Sounds like Cyanobacteria to me. I have a similar problem. How is your water quality, esp P04 and N03? My tank is less than six months old, so I believe it's part of its cycle, but I'm watching it closely.

 

[brownchinchilla]

You need to increase the flow of water. This is as long as your water quality is good. Add a pump or re-direct water. I bet this helps.