Sand turning red

[BabyShark]

Noticing my sand is turning red. Already tested my water for calcium, nitrate, nitrite, salinity, PH, and ammonia. They all came out fine. Temp kept between 78-80 degrees.
Also the heads of my euphillyas are falling off. Not sure what’s off with my tank. Any help would be appreciated! Still pretty new to the hobby.

 

[Dan_P]

What you described sounds like a dying coral, and the decaying biomass is creating a haven for cyanobacteria. Two separate issues. Why is my coral dying? How do I slow and reverse the cyanobacteria growth?

 

[BabyShark]

What you described sounds like a dying coral, and the decaying biomass is creating a haven for cyanobacteria. Two separate issues. Why is my coral dying? How do I slow and reverse the cyanobacteria growth?

Wasn’t sure if these two things were related. Thanks for the input. So the Cyanobacteria is what makes the sand red? Is it harmful to my reef? Any suggestions on how to fix it?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Im more concerned about the dying coral than the cyano. What are your actual parameter numbers? How long has the tank been set up?

 

[GooseCommander]

Chemiclean for the cyanobacteria. Don't mess around with it, it's a major pain and chemiclean is quick and safe. How old are the euphylia?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like inadequate light for the coral and I question your salt and calcium level.
Cyano easy to fight but first determine your tank conditions.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Chemiclean for the cyanobacteria. Don't mess around with it, it's a major pain and chemiclean is quick and safe. How old are the euphylia?

Chemiclean is awesome but there is a reason this tank isn't doing well and I'd like to figure out what it is

 

[BabyShark]

salinity: 1.025
nitrite:0
nitrate:5
PH:7.8
Ammonia:0
Calcium:410
Temp:79

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Phosphate?

 

[BabyShark]

Phosphate?

Haven’t tested phosphate yet. Could be the culprit?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Yes it could be if it has spiked recently

 

[BabyShark]

I’ll give it a test whenever I’m able to buy one. It’s been hard to get my tank necessities since they put my state on lockdown. Hopefully my tank can hold up.
I’m also running a mechanical filter that I’ve been changing often. Could this be another reason for my tank to be doing poor? I’m currently looking into building a sump.

 

[BabyShark]

I’ve also had my tank cycling for a while. Added corals about 6 months ago. The leathers, gsp, and zoa colonies seem to be okay. Everything else has died. Fish appear healthy.