Brown sand???

steve o · Jan 15, 2016

My sand is turning brown in certain spots. I can't figure out why. The tank is 5 years old, I have
AI Hydra lights , KH - 8.4 CAL -450 MAG -1400, Nitrate reads 2ppm salifert test kit. Pho ???
It's just brown no bubbles so I don't think it's Dino. I have noticed that when my lights ramp down
in the evening it goes away. Feed my fish once a day so I don't feel I'm overfeeding. need some
thoughts and advice.
THX
Oh mostly SPS and colors have never been better!!!

Bugger · Jan 15, 2016

Sand sifting goby

steve o · Jan 15, 2016

Bugger said:
Sand sifting goby

I would try but worried about my scolly

Lenny_S · Jan 15, 2016

Diatoms? Old or worn out DI cartridge in your water filter letting some silicates in? Those are my thoughts anyhow.

Tahoe61 · Jan 15, 2016

If you are adding supplements like Acropower, Spongepower or other Amino acid back off. I agree change out any carbons. Unless this is a large established system I would not a sand sifting goby. A tiger tail cucumber or some snail types would be a better choice.

steve o · Jan 15, 2016

Lenny_S said:
Diatoms? Old or worn out DI cartridge in your water filter letting some silicates in? Those are my thoughts anyhow.

just changed all my filters in RODI unit 0 TDS on my meter. The only filter I haven't changed is the main membrane. All other
filters are changed every 6 months

steve o · Jan 15, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
If you are adding supplements like Acropower, Spongepower or other Amino acid back off. I agree change out any carbons. Unless this is a large established system I would not a sand sifting goby. A tiger tail cucumber or some snail types would be a better choice.

i have tried tiger conch but can't seem to keep them longer than 6 months

steve o · Jan 17, 2016

Could it be that the main membrane on my RODI unit? It's approx. 3 years old. I always read you should get 5 years out of one.

Lenny_S · Jan 17, 2016

steve o said:
Could it be that the main membrane on my RODI unit? It's approx. 3 years old. I always read you should get 5 years out of one.

It could be. I'm not sure the rating in years though. Usually it has a life expectancy in terms of volume. And your mileage may vary depending on the sediment and carbon block pre filters. I had only thought it was perhaps the water/unit you were using because of how long the tank had been running. I guess that's the long answer to your question... But yes, a worn RO membrane can start letting elements you don't want through like metals, silicates, etc...

steve o · Jan 17, 2016

Lenny_S said:
It could be. I'm not sure the rating in years though. Usually it has a life expectancy in terms of volume. And your mileage may vary depending on the sediment and carbon block pre filters. I had only thought it was perhaps the water/unit you were using because of how long the tank had been running. I guess that's the long answer to your question... But yes, a worn RO membrane can start letting elements you don't want through like metals, silicates, etc...

Thanks Lenny, I have already purchased new membrane, and I'm going to try that!! It's weird 1 hour after lights start to ramp down,
brown sand goes away