Algae Wars Continues

[hubbard_shark]

Ok so Ive figured out about the hair algae, as Im on the quest for ROWAphos thx Ski , but still havin trouble with this brown algae on my sand. Im thinkin its a mix of light on too long, and maybe nitrates? just readin past posts where I heard brown=nitrates, green=phosphates(thx ski again), lol. so heres some pics, let me know wat u guyz think it is. i know its not cyanobacteria, went through that theory once before. o and to add to it, its really dark and spreads brown thoughout the day, but at night and when i wake up in the morning, the sand is fine and white again. so im guessing its definately feeding off the light.

 

[SkiFletch]

Interesting, might want to start gravel vacuuming your sand bed when you waterchange . Gotta be honest, I'm not entirely sure what type of algae you've got there though

 

[hubbard_shark]

i remember u tellin me this before, only thing is: can u vaccuum sand? i mean wouldnt it just suck it all up along with any critters in the sand?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

We had that on the sand.

2 days with no light then upgrading to a better bigger MH got rid of it for us.

 

[maidenfan]

does this accumalate otver a period of time? or return gradually? how long you been running? looks almost like a diatom or cyno rowaphos i'm sure will work, try running your fingers through the sand just before your water change then syphon just above sand see if you can pick it up

 

[SkiFletch]

i remember u tellin me this before, only thing is: can u vaccuum sand? i mean wouldnt it just suck it all up along with any critters in the sand?

If you use a gravel vac designed for moderate sized tanks you can do it. Somethin like this or any similar product works great. Heck, I just use my trusty turkey baster. Slap some 1/4" or 5/16" tubing on the end, pull the bulb off, and use that . You cant cram the vac all the way into the sand, you have to kind of stir it, but it works. You'll be amazed at how much junk you find down there

 

[tmreynolds]

Definitely get some rowaphos.

Looks like diatoms, my clean up crew have dealt with most of mine, turbo snails love it