Black chunks on sand?

[CherryBlossom]

So I am about 7 weeks into the tank and cycle...
How do I clear up the sand? Or do I just have to wait it out?

Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks

 

[Otter_rs]

That is blue green slime algae. Grows in very poor water quality. Did you use tap water to mix your saltwater?


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[CherryBlossom]

No I used RO/DI & pre mixed from my saltwater store which the salinity was 1.025

Made sure I asked for pure RO/DI water and they confirmed at the water depot that it was 100%

 

[Otter_rs]

That is surprising. I only ever see that type of algae in rather high phosphates among other contaminants or on very old, clogged sand beds.
Did you cycle the tank with new live rock?


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[CherryBlossom]

Yes all new live rock that my store got in and had in their tanks

 

[Otter_rs]

It is possible that the decay from the rock has settled onto the sand and causing the bloom. Try stirring the top of the sand bed up and try to collect as much of the debris as possible and get it out of the system. If you know of anyone with a healthy sand bed, get a scoop of it and spread it onto yours.


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[CherryBlossom]

Could be, I have one rock that my snails dug holes into and left a lot of sand and chunks...

I have some left over fresh live sand from the start, bought to much in the start

 

[skinz78]

How much flow do you have in your tank?

 

[Otter_rs]

If the live sand isn't from a well established reef system then don't bother, it won't help. And make sure it is transported quickly and not left to sit around.


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[CherryBlossom]

I have one power head and a wave maker, nothing else

 

[Otter_rs]

Extra flow near the sand bed will probably help a little, but your main problem will have to be addressed. Try turning pumps off and siphoning the surface of the sand bed a few times to get rid of both algae and debris. Add more flow near the sand bed. Get some hermit crabs to help out, and maybe run some GFO for a while. Good luck.


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[CherryBlossom]

I have blue legged hermits, turbo snails and another kind of snail I can't remember the name right now, what's GFO?

I've taken it all out by hand just now and sucked out all of the little pieces I left behind

I'll move my power head down and see if that helps

 

[Otter_rs]

The blue leg hermits should help a little, but you would need a lot of them to make a big difference.
GFO is granular ferric oxide. It absorbs and binds phosphate. You can get it at any of the good aquarium stores or mail order places. I get mine from bulk reef supply.


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[CherryBlossom]

I had about 20 of them but only see a few now, and I see random shells around?

Ok, I'll have to go and grab some when I'm there next

I just did a water change after I cleaned out all the algae off the sand and scrubbed the algae spots off the glass, hopefully this helps some

 

[Otter_rs]

Make a note if the algae comes back quickly or slowly after a water change. The water you are using may not be as good as what you are told.


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[CherryBlossom]

Ok I will, Thank you

 

[CherryBlossom]

Nothing has come back as of yet, just a few spots that I missed while cleaning lastnight it looks like, my friend who has been in the hobby for 11 years told me to add another power head as it seems like a flow issue