Please Help!

NanaReefer · Jun 28, 2015

On a sad note its back full swing. Vacuumed my SB today during a WC. Just the surface, nothing deep. Within 2hrs the bed it is once again covered in rust. what the heck?! Why is this happening?
I'm running a reactor with SeaChem SeaGel, 250ml. WC every 7-10 days. I'm not going to touch the SB from now on. See what happens. Ugh!

kbourque · Jun 28, 2015

I had cerith snails take care of my diatom bloom they stay in the sand most of the time also my turbo snails seem to go for diatoms as well I have a new tank little over a month old and they cleaned the tank spotless in no time. I'd add some snails or hermits they will either take care of it or the diatoms will eventually go away on their own. Remember nothing happens instantly in this hobby.

Daytonareefing · Jun 28, 2015

Are you running a skimmer and a refugium? Also What has made a big difference when I had that problem in the past was using seachem phosguard even if a phosphate test says 0 it still works.

Nano sapiens · Jun 28, 2015

Some common denominators I've noticed often with people having this issue is that the tank parameters are typical for reef keeping, the tank inhabitants are doing fine...and the salt used is RC. Since this doesn't happen to the majority of RC users, it *may* just be a bad batch (possibly too high a vitamin concentration, perhaps?).

About seven months ago I had around 80% of the entire sand bed covered daily, with 1-2 NO3 and 'untestable' levels of PO4 (Salifert) using RC/IO blended at 60/40. After a few months, as a test, I used this RC/IO mix with 50% RS Blue Bucket. After a few weeks I definitely noticed less of this stuff on my sand bed and over the last few months it's stayed at a consistent level (maybe 30% less than your photos). My RC/IO mix is just about done, so my next step is to use RS Blue Bucket and IO together (50/50) and see if there are any improvements.

I can't say at this point that RC is the culprit, but the bloom manifested itself just a few weeks after I started using RC, so it is a suspect.

Rob's Reef · Jun 29, 2015

I've always had this issue with my sand and I use RC too... hmm maybe it's time for a new salt myself... what are some of your Guy's and Gal's salt preferences?

kbourque · Jun 29, 2015

Regular instant ocean

Reefing Madness · Jun 29, 2015

Instant Ocean

ksfulk · Jun 29, 2015

Aqua vitro Salinity is a decent mix that I used for nearly 5 years without any discernable problems. Its likely to be carried at most LFS (though I know nothing's assured in the UP) and mixes up clean and clear. I've recently (about a year ago) made a switch to Red Sea Coral Pro for my heavily stocked tank. Its done well, though the ALK can be high right after mixing (11+ dKH). On my 180 new build Im using a mix of RSCP and the Red Sea Blue Bucket Salt - mostly just to use up the rest of the RSCP salt I have left, before just using the blue bucket, as the ALK isnt as high.

Daytonareefing · Jun 29, 2015

I had problems with RC myself after using it for years so I switched to Tropic Marin Bio Active but its not cheap and I think most people have good luck with reg. Instant Ocean.

markak · Jun 29, 2015

I had a breakout a couple months ago, I used 3% hydrogen peroxide. I have a 220 with a 40 gal sump. I did a 10ml twice a day for 5 days. I also got a UV sterilizer and ran it 24/7. So I don't know if it was the peroxide or the UV. Or the combo. It was gone in about 2 weeks. On another note I was using IO RC and heard others saying they were haveing touble with it. I changed to Red Sea Corral Pro. Haven't had any problems since. Even my water parameters are more stable.

Daytonareefing · Jun 29, 2015

I don't know if the peroxide will help but the UV sterilizer is a very good idea and it will help.

SaltwaterAq · Jun 29, 2015

You might want to consider a Triton Labs water test to see if you have something in your water you don't know about.

http://www.saltwateraquarium.com/tr...f-32-elements-saltwater-reef-testing-kit.html

Rob's Reef · Jun 29, 2015

so if im using RC now and want to switch to regular IO should gradually mix it? or being the same brand would i be able to just switch over? i have a 300g tank and when i do my water changes i do 50g at a time... all i have in my tank besides my fish are some Zoa's, clove polyps, GSP, and an anemone.

Nano sapiens · Jun 29, 2015

Always best to mix it in slowly, even if the same company IMO. Corals are especially sensitive to chemical/element changes.

Rob's Reef · Jun 29, 2015

Nano sapiens said:
Always best to mix it in slowly, even if the same company IMO. Corals are especially sensitive to chemical/element changes.

figured... thanks

Harold Green · Jun 29, 2015

I used instant ocean for years but the last several years I've been using coralife and have had no problems with it. I was wondering just how fine your sand is. I've always use crushed coral that was fairly course. Anytime I set up a tank with fine sand it would always crust over with types of algae and I think that's due to lack of flow through the upper layer of sand. From the look of your corals I doubt that you have a water quality issue but I'd take a closer look at the sand you're using. Perhaps try a control of two small tanks, one with crushed coral and one with the same sand that's in your dt and see if the problem repeats itself in one or both tanks.