Algae growing on sand

[Fstasvr4]

I have a 120 reef tank the corals look great but I've been battling this algae that's growing on my sand bed its brown and purple. I have 12 Nasirus snails two conchs a lot of small hermits and stuff to stir the bed up but it's not helping. Any ideas on what I can do to fix it?

 

[glb]

I wonder if it's cyano.

 

[Marty.h]

What's your flow like over the area and your present water stats

 

[jman9331]

is this 2 different colors top pic being red and bottom brown?

 

[Fstasvr4]

Flow is pretty good, nitrates are high everything else seems good. And yes the top is redish purple and the bottom is brown

 

[jman9331]

looks like cyano to me!

 

[glb]

How are phosphates?

 

[racin2438]

I would say, check the phosphate, and direct more water flow to the bottom sand area

 

[Fstasvr4]

Phosphates are low I have a phosphate reactor in my sump as well as a fuge.

 

[Fstasvr4]

Nitrates are about 20-30ppm

 

[glb]

Wow. That's high. Do you know what caused it?

 

[Fstasvr4]

Probably too small of a skimmer, not enough water changes. Im trying to not do any but apparently that's not working too well haha

 

[glb]

Why not do water changes?

 

[maroun.c]

i'd do some water changes and make sure that skimmer is well tuned and producing or else you might need an upgrade .

 

[saltyphish]

Water changes, less food, make sure your using ro/di water with 0 tds. You will need to do a couple big water changes to drop your nitrates down.