This appears everyday in my sand

[webbrage]

Have you vaccines the sand?

lol it's that time of years

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What about GFO? I have some of that. Or is phosoguard better?

Yes gfo is Perfect. That removes the silicates. If you have some you can add some activated carbon. USMC 4 Life put it in a bag ON the return pump I believe.

 

[nervousmonkey]

for superfast removal of silicates and phosphates, Phosguard is better but it lasts about two days IMHO. They say three to four but if you are going to use PG, change it frequently. GFO will also reduce PO4 pretty quickly, but since it last two to three months, depending on PO4 levels, it can absolutely reduce your PO4 to zero. Probably don't want zero PO4. I use both, keep GFO in a reactor with a set amount that I know the result of based on my feeding. When I feed heavy or read a higher than normal (for me) PO4 level, I throw some PhosGuard in and let it run for two days, check PO4 again and if it's good I pull the PG. If not, I take the old out and replace it with new. What is your PO4 level? An imbalance of NO3 and PO4 will definitely make bad stuff happen and worse stuff start to grow...

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Looks like diatoms to me, will happen in an established tank no matter how low or high nutrients are if you do frequent water changes. My sandbed is brown for a few days after EVERY water change due to silicates.

People say standard RODI systems will remove them but they are spreading false information and need to educate themselves better.

There is a special resin you can buy that removes silicates; it's basically a special DI resin but it's fairly pricey. If you do alot of water changes you better get a second job or deal with brown sand!

 

[2Wheelsonly]

for superfast removal of silicates and phosphates, Phosguard is better but it lasts about two days IMHO. They say three to four but if you are going to use PG, change it frequently. GFO will also reduce PO4 pretty quickly, but since it last two to three months, depending on PO4 levels, it can absolutely reduce your PO4 to zero. Probably don't want zero PO4. I use both, keep GFO in a reactor with a set amount that I know the result of based on my feeding. When I feed heavy or read a higher than normal (for me) PO4 level, I throw some PhosGuard in and let it run for two days, check PO4 again and if it's good I pull the PG. If not, I take the old out and replace it with new. What is your PO4 level? An imbalance of NO3 and PO4 will definitely make bad stuff happen and worse stuff start to grow...

Phosguard is exhausted in a few days? So if a 300g treatment is $17 and it only lasts a few days you're literally throwing money in the trash. Who would be so silly to do such a dumb thing?

 

[Cflip]

Looks like diatoms to me, will happen in an established tank no matter how low or high nutrients are if you do frequent water changes. My sandbed is brown for a few days after EVERY water change due to silicates.

People say standard RODI systems will remove them but they are spreading false information and need to educate themselves better.

There is a special resin you can buy that removes silicates; it's basically a special DI resin but it's fairly pricey. If you do alot of water changes you better get a second job or deal with brown sand!

Thanks I'll look for that resin. I want to try anthias at some point so I need to get this better. Since I know it's not due to over feeding now. I do believe it's related to either silicates or iron.

 

[Cflip]

Looks like diatoms to me, will happen in an established tank no matter how low or high nutrients are if you do frequent water changes. My sandbed is brown for a few days after EVERY water change due to silicates.

People say standard RODI systems will remove them but they are spreading false information and need to educate themselves better.

There is a special resin you can buy that removes silicates; it's basically a special DI resin but it's fairly pricey. If you do alot of water changes you better get a second job or deal with brown sand!

I'd be fine it was only a few days. Mine never leaves.

 

[Cflip]

for superfast removal of silicates and phosphates, Phosguard is better but it lasts about two days IMHO. They say three to four but if you are going to use PG, change it frequently. GFO will also reduce PO4 pretty quickly, but since it last two to three months, depending on PO4 levels, it can absolutely reduce your PO4 to zero. Probably don't want zero PO4. I use both, keep GFO in a reactor with a set amount that I know the result of based on my feeding. When I feed heavy or read a higher than normal (for me) PO4 level, I throw some PhosGuard in and let it run for two days, check PO4 again and if it's good I pull the PG. If not, I take the old out and replace it with new. What is your PO4 level? An imbalance of NO3 and PO4 will definitely make bad stuff happen and worse stuff start to grow...

Nitrates are 20 phosphates are at 10.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Phosguard is exhausted in a few days? So if a 300g treatment is $17 and it only lasts a few days you're literally throwing money in the trash. Who would be so silly to do such a dumb thing?

If you need to lower it quickly, it's not a bad choice. Its use and the amount of time it can be used is all relative to tank size and phosphate level. Research it a little and you'll learn something

 

[Cflip]

Today's photo. It's back. Added phosoguard today. We will see. LFS wanted me to buy a conch.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Gently Stir that section of the sandbed for 7 consecutive days.

 

[Cflip]

Gently Stir that section of the sandbed for 7 consecutive days.

Ok will do!

 

[Cflip]

I think I also need to increase flow to that area. May get a powerhead of some kind.

 

[__Jreef__]

I have the same problem, I try vacuum the sand as much as I can when I do my water change but only help for few days.
I did also try the Phosguard but didn't help much so I add a pair of diamond goobies and they do a good job sifting the sand and I notice a big difference I do also have a Conch snail.

One think I notice also is how the flow in my tank was and I move my wave makers a little and try different modes and speeds this is also helping to avoid dead spots and keep the sand clean ... so far everything is looking better everyday.

 

[Cflip]

So maybe a conch snail isn't a bad idea? Would I have to QT it?