Algae on sand

[Carl C]

Hello, I have this algae on my sand bed, I actually just scraped a lot of it off, but it will grow back almost to a full carpet within a week. I have a refugeum and it’s got macroalgae, however it’s been shrinking, so obviously the other algae is taking over. Is even worth it to scrape the algae? Are there some critters that can help with this problem. Any other suggestions
Here are my parameters.

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 8 ppm
pH: 8.2
Specific Gravity 1.025
Alkalinity: 8
Phosphate: .10 ppm
Calcium: 430
Magnesium: 1310

 

[ReefBeta]

Do you have enough clean up crew? Like 1 critter per gallon.

 

[Nick Steele]

Have you tried blowing your sand bed? It has helped me combat algae a little bit and the hermits go crazy when I do it as well. I think it helps break down the algae to make it more manageable for them.

 

[Pistondog]

Hello, I have this algae on my sand bed, I actually just scraped a lot of it off, but it will grow back almost to a full carpet within a week. I have a refugeum and it’s got macroalgae, however it’s been shrinking, so obviously the other algae is taking over. Is even worth it to scrape the algae? Are there some critters that can help with this problem. Any other suggestions
Here are my parameters.

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 8 ppm
pH: 8.2
Specific Gravity 1.025
Alkalinity: 8
Phosphate: .10 ppm
Calcium: 430
Magnesium: 1310

The algae will grow where light and nutrients are best.
The refugium must outcompete the dt.
Get a really good, blinding, pink horticulture light and mount is as close to the refugium water as possible. Elevate your macro algae to the water surface with live rock or other to maximize par.
Nutrients are good.
You could get a sand sifting watchman goby if your tank is >= 30 gallons.
Or a fighting conch, but they'll knock stuff over, but fun to watch.

 

[Carl C]

Do you have enough clean up crew? Like 1 critter per gallon.

I had a fair number of hermits I got these emerald crabs and I wonder if they have killed hermits
What would u Recomend the tanks 150g

 

[Carl C]

Have you tried blowing your sand bed? It has helped me combat algae a little bit and the hermits go crazy when I do it as well. I think it helps break down the algae to make it more manageable for them.

My hermits I believe we’re killed by my emerald crabs ? I haven’t tried blowing the sand

 

[Carl C]

The algae will grow where light and nutrients are best.
The refugium must outcompete the dt.
Get a really good, blinding, pink horticulture light and mount is as close to the refugium water as possible. Elevate your macro algae to the water surface with live rock or other to maximize par.
Nutrients are good.
You could get a sand sifting watchman goby if your tank is >= 30 gallons.
Or a fighting conch, but they'll knock stuff over, but fun to watch.

Been thinking about goby ; I have some larger fish 4” about x 3 ; they’re semi aggressive
I have a very good Kessil pink light
And my chaeto even rolls slowly

 

[Carl C]

Do you have enough clean up crew? Like 1 critter per gallon.

I definitely don’t have enough crew my tanks 150g I have emerald crabs which I thin killed most of my hermits; I have some large snail
Most of the small snails seem to have disappeared?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Emerald crabs not to be trusted especially around CUC
SIPHON SAND BED and reduce white light intensity and add:
4- turbo snails
4- nassarius snails
3- astrea snails
3- trochus snails
6- blue leg hermits

place emeralds in sump

 

[Carl C]

Emerald crabs not to be trusted especially around CUC
SIPHON SAND BED and reduce white light intensity and add:
4- turbo snails
4- nassarius snails
3- astrea snails
3- trochus snails
6- blue leg hermits

place emeralds in sump

Good idea emeralds if I can catch em
Thank you for. All other ideas

 

[ReefBeta]

I definitely don’t have enough crew my tanks 150g I have emerald crabs which I thin killed most of my hermits; I have some large snail
Most of the small snails seem to have disappeared?

Are you really sure emerald crab kills them? My 42 gallons have two emerald crab and still have most of the hermit from a year ago. But I have a lot more snail than hermit.

I'm stocking my 180 and is planning to get a bundle from https://www.reefcleaners.org/, probably getting the 92 gallons package.

Also if your refugium is not doing well, maybe also try chaetogrow to see if it help to boost it.