Algae?

[inkedtx]

i've had this very dark brown algae (I'm assuming) for about 3 weeks. Water parameters are good. I've do water changes weekly, approx 20-30% and siphoned sand twice. No change. It's only on sand in front. I decreased amount of timeights were on but did not notice any difference.
I appreciate any info and suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Welcome to the ugly phase sista!
could be cyano, maybe diatoms.

 

[ahiggins]

My money is on diatoms. Do you have any hermits in your tank? If so, does the sand seem cleaner first thing in the morning?

 

[inkedtx]

My money is on diatoms. Do you have any hermits in your tank? If so, does the sand seem cleaner first thing in the morning?

No crabs at all. I've been concerned they'd eat my snails.

 

[epstein]

how old is the tank? what have you added recently?

 

[inkedtx]

I had a diatom bloom early on but it was a much lighter brown in color. I only used the blue leds for a few days and it cleared up. This doesn't seem to do that [emoji848]

 

[inkedtx]

3 mos and nothing except copepods. Algae was already there when they were added

 

[Frop]

No crabs at all. I've been concerned they'd eat my snails.

My crabs only ate the snails that were upside down (I think... lol).

 

[ahiggins]

crabs do tend to eat snails for the shells. usually if you toss in extra "size up" shells, they wont go after snails. Mine never do.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

what kind of snails do you have and how many?
Have you read this one? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/
CUC do 2 things. breakdown the foods we put in and eat the stuff that grows as a result of what we put in.
In the case of diatoms, its the fresh minerals coming off the rocks growing the diatoms and the other nutrints.

 

[ahiggins]

I agree-in my smaller tank I usually have a little algae growth if I overdo a feeding. The hermits take care of it overnight.

 

[Frop]

I have two crabs in the 10gallon. Unless it's intentional I never have runaway food. So I always feel they're going to starve. Been thinking of getting more nessarius snails though.

 

[inkedtx]

I do my best not to overfeed but I know I do at times. I'm definitely going to pick up some hermit [emoji886].

 

[inkedtx]

what kind of snails do you have and how many?
Have you read this one? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/
CUC do 2 things. breakdown the foods we put in and eat the stuff that grows as a result of what we put in.
In the case of diatoms, its the fresh minerals coming off the rocks growing the diatoms and the other nutrints.

I have two Margarita, two turbo, one nassarius and one cerith

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have two Margarita, two turbo, one nassarius and one cerith

I would bump those numbers on the small ones.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I felt the same way about hermits. Until the green hair algae showed up. Added 5, plus 5 extra shells, hoping they'd leave the other snails alone