What is this algae (1 Viewer)

[pmnovak1]

Here are two pictures of my sandbed. As you can see, there is a brown substance growing on the sandbed. At first, I just thought it was die-off and other stuff falling to the surface, but I cleaned/stirred the sandbed yesterday which cleared it up, but it was back today.

There also looks to be very small bubbles on top of it. You can't see them in the pics.

Any idea what this is? And how can I get rid of it?

My Nitrates are running about 10 ppm.

I have a number of snails, crabs and a Yellow Tang to help with algae.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[TriggerFreak]

red slime!!! welcome to the real world lol

 

[TriggerFreak]

its a bacteria not an algae

 

[Becky]

stop stirring your sand bed just take the poop off the sand.and do some water changes works for me

 

[pmnovak1]

How does stirring the sandbed cause problems? I was simply putting the python 1/4" into the sand to only pick and clean the very top layer.

 

[TriggerFreak]

how much flow do you have going on in the tank???

 

[pmnovak1]

I have a Mag 7 return pump. I'm using a Koralia 2 and a Koralia 4 powerhead. I believe I have quite a bit of flow and looks like no dead spots.

 

[pmnovak1]

I should add that the tank is only 5 weeks old (finished cycling 5 weeks ago)

 

[TriggerFreak]

that could be the reason too, and do u run your furnace at all rite now??

 

[reeferbeefer]

Ohhh It's not done cycling! :gay1: Patients my son! You'll go crazy trying to fix this stuff at this stage of your tank's life. Keep doing regular SW changes, but don't let this drive you crazy:nuts:. If the red slime starts to get out of control, treat for it. Not only do you have about another 25 weeks to go, It's that time of the year for cyano. Keep your head up!

Chuck

 

[pmnovak1]

I'm not getting any readings on Ammonia or Nitrites. My Nitrates are between 5-10ppm.

I'm doing weekly 20% water changes right now.

I'm not running the furnace right now, although the furnace is right next to the tank.

Its not out of control yet. Theres what you see on the sand bed, very little on the rocks, and a little on the sides of the tank that I clean every other day.

 

[TriggerFreak]

when we dont run our furnaces theres Co2 in the air and well, that could be the prob.

 

[reeferbeefer]

You're doing everything you can, it's just the nature of the best. It is thought that at a particular time of the year ,i.e. when the furnace/ac is not running and windows are still shut, CO2 builds in the living are thus aiding in a growth burst of cyano in the tank. I'm still a rookie, so some of the vets may be able to give you better insite.

 

[MAXreefer]

Don't treat it with any chemicals at this point.
If it is getting out of control or you want to speed up the process just scrape it gently together with a plastic fork and scoop or suck it out.

 

[Becky]

sometimes you can release funk into your tank by stirring up the sandbed,My powerhead just fell and blew up some sand in my tank and in the same spot I got the same crap.