weird macro

[Panch]

I noticed thse "clumps" on my sandbed last night. Picked them up. Seemed like they were balls of algae grwing on the surface of the sand. What could it be?
Should I get some critters to shift the sand bed a little? eg sand sifting star.
Any comments?

 

[kmk2307]

Cyanobacteria? Sand sifting stars don't eat algae, they eat small invertebrates that live in sand. Cyanobacteria produce some nasty chemicals that keep most organisms from eating them. Do you test your phosphates? If it is cyano, the most effective way to get rid of it is to reduce your phosphates. I like products like rowaphos and phosban.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Panch]

Phosphate?

Phosphate?

Thanks. I'll buy some heavy duty phosphate absorber and put it in my sump today.

 

[kmk2307]

Good deal Panch. I think that is the best bed. Do you test your phosphates now? Let us know if it helps your problem.

Kevin

 

[Panch]

I'm keeping an eye on the algea. So far it's confined to the sandbed.