how do i keep the sand in my tank the cleanest/whitest?

13 posts • Page 1 of 2

Discuss all topics related to saltwater / reef tanks.


fishaholic27
 
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:17 am

how do i keep the sand in my tank the cleanest/whitest?

by fishaholic27

my nitrate level is at 20, nitrite is at 0, ammonia is at 0, ph levels are 8.2 or so. my sand is turning brownish i did some research and found that they are diatoms the brown algae. how do i get rid of them? is there a way besides vacuming the sand?


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

strong water movement . blow around the top layer of sand


fishaholic27
 
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:17 am

by fishaholic27

would you suggest just using some kind of power head to move the water.


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

what ever you have the water cant be stagnent ove the sand you can also try cucummbers starfish or snails


fishaholic27
 
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:17 am

by fishaholic27

thank you ill give it a shot


Pawsreef4102
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:27 am

by Pawsreef4102

Are you topping up regularly? I found that i got it a lot when I let my salinity raise with too much evaporation and then put ro in to top up which lowered it too fast again.
I would try to maintain salinity levels constantly if youre not already and lower your nitrates if you can.


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

sorry also iodine will also cause brown algea. hope this helps


Deltasigpony3648
 
Posts: 314
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:21 am

by Deltasigpony3648

i had the same problem and it pissed me off i ended up starving the algae by getting a phosphate mat. i dont know the name of the product but with it did was suck up all the phosphates in the tank and in like 3 days my sand was pure white like when i bought it


fishaholic27
 
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:17 am

by fishaholic27

I USED AMQUEL+ NITRATE, NITRITE, AMMONIA REMOVER AND THAT BROWN CRAP IS NOW GONE. MY NITRATE WAS A LITTLE HIGH. ONCE IT DROPED I STURRED UP THE BOTTOM AND CAUGHT THE BROWN STUFF IN MY NET AND GOT RID OF IT. MY SAND IS NOW WHITE AS CAN BE.


oceanlink
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:51 am

by oceanlink

If you have a predator tank, you could try to get a ray, such as a blue spot ray. If you can't keep predators, get some sand gobies 9such as golden head sleeper bobies). These fish will constantly turn over the sand and therefore prevent any diatoms from being able to grow.

how do i keep the sand in my tank the cleanest/whitest?

13 posts • Page 1 of 2

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