Sand is turning dark brown n dnt knw why

[merlberg]

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So my sand started looking like this 2 days ago all over and idk why. I have my lights turned on a 6pm and turned off an 6am. Can someone tell me why they think its starting to look like this.

 

[merlberg]

 

[TD13]

Looks like detritus, bad flow... basically all the "junk" made in your tank settles where there is poor flow.

 

[merlberg]

Looks like detritus, bad flow... basically all the "junk" made in your tank settles where there is poor flow.

But i only have 1 clownfish in there now but i noticed my starfish died. Could that be wht caused that?

 

[TD13]

Very possible. It's likely also uneaten food, waste from your fish, etc.

 

[ndz98]

Did you see it building up over time or would you say it happened in a day? If it happened within a day or two I wouldn't say it's detritus settling necessarily. That would be a whole lot to come from one fish in a matter of two days.

 

[ndz98]

Well unless you are over feeding them like TD13 said it could be settling at the bottom.

Kind of looks like the start of diatoms too.

 

[merlberg]

Ok i think that may be it... I have been over feeding the tank becAuse my tomato clown never sees where the food is when i put it in there so i put extra food. Ok so should i do a WC?

 

[TD13]

Are your nitrates (No3) elevated? If not, you don't have to do a change, make a little salt water, and siphon out the detritus... That being said, a water change is usually a good thing too, just make sure not to disturb the collection so that you can remove it easily.

 

[merlberg]

Are your nitrates (No3) elevated? If not, you don't have to do a change, make a little salt water, and siphon out the detritus... That being said, a water change is usually a good thing too, just make sure not to disturb the collection so that you can remove it easily.

Ok i will check my nitrates today and see and will do as advised by you if my nitrates is ok. But do you think 1 little fish can cause all tht detrius? Im more thinking I overfed the tank with pellets.

 

[TD13]

Sure. Do you have anything else in the tank? It could be sediment settling from the rock settling out... Yes, given any length of time uneaten and food waste can build up.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That tank looks pretty new. The sand anyway.
How long has it been running? And what kind of sea star was it?

 

[merlberg]

Sure. Do you have anything else in the tank? It could be sediment settling from the rock settling out... Yes, given any length of time uneaten and food waste can build up.

Nothing else in the tank besides 2 blue starfishes but they were only in there for a week maybe and died off but as i cleaned the tank it was left over pellets.

 

[merlberg]

That tank looks pretty new. The sand anyway.
How long has it been running? And what kind of sea star was it?

It is pretty new, i put the 1st fish in there on xmas and i got the starfish as a gift but all i knw is that they were blue. As far as the sand goes i used my old sand and bought 2 bags of live sand to add on. So it hasnt been running for long at all.

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

diatoms maybe... Picture not clear

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Blue linka. Theres probably not enough in there to eat yet.
and your just getting the new tank algaes bacterias and diatoms. It'll pass.

 

[merlberg]

diatoms maybe... Picture not clear

I had to look tht word up because I had no clue what diatoms are and you might be right! They were all over the sand n i read this often happens to new tanks? So i guess i was wrong about it being leftover food.

 

[merlberg]

Blue linka. Theres probably not enough in there to eat yet.
and your just getting the new tank algaes bacterias and diatoms. It'll pass.

Yes thts wht i read it'll eventually pass, the diatoms. Thnks

 

[ndz98]

That's what I said from the get go...

 

[cameronh]

That's what I said from the get go...

Lol