Brown alge problem on sand bed

nport19 · Mar 18, 2015

I have a 20 gallon setup and I'm currently experiencing a brown alge/ hair alge take over on my sand bed to my tank. I have a few coral drags on the bottom of my tank and I'm worried they may get over taken by this issue. Salt level is 1.026. As for levels in the tank I was told by a pet store that they were fine. If anyone has any suggestions on how to control this issue please let me know.

KillerKlownFish · Mar 18, 2015

Check your lights they may be old.
Vacuum the sand bed!
Get sand sifting snails
Up your filtration. What are you using currently?

Reefing Madness · Mar 18, 2015

If its a new tank, they are Diatoms and occur in all new tank, well most all new tanks. They will take care of themselves, theres nothing you need to do about them.
You really should get a second opinion on your water results as LFS guys are not that reliable.

saltyphish · Mar 18, 2015

I would not trust a lfs telling me my parameters are fine imo. Fine can translate to a lot of different things, such as good for livestock and algae growth which is evident in your system. Also your parameters may sow fine on a test because the algae is using up the nutrients in the water causing them to read lower than they are. How old is your tank? What livestock do you have in your tank? The nutrients are coming from somewhere. Do you use ro/di water? Lights can also be a problem as the post above stated but usually the problem begins with excess nutrients. I would rule that out first.

nport19 · Mar 18, 2015

The LEDS are new. Have had then since I started my system up. As for the filter all I have right now is a freshwater filter. By the end of the month I'm hoping to get a canister filter.

nport19 · Mar 18, 2015

I'm planning on getting second hand advise on my water testings. Thanks for telling me that most of what is happening is natural. I am planning on getting a sand sifting gobie and if I can find them I might try those snails out.

nport19 · Mar 18, 2015

My tank is almost 10 or 11 months old. All I have livestock wise is 2 clown fish and a sunrise dotty back. All the corals seem to be growing fine as well so I'm not sure what's going on.