What kind of algae is this....

[Garyf7257]

hi.
Can someone tell me what kind of algae this is and how to get rid of it. It's starting to take over my entire sandbed and I can't get rid of it. I try to sift it and move it but it just goes under the sand only to appear the next day. It's an eye soar and don't know what to do with it

Thank you

 

[prsnlty]

How old is your tank? Does it look kind of slimy with air bubbles because I don't see that? It looks to be diatoms. Generally you get those from a new tank or your lights are getting old if running T5.

 

[Garyf7257]

My tank is about 6 months old and I use T8 lighting.

 

[prsnlty]

My tank is about 6 months old and I use T8 lighting.

Yes, I'd say it's diatoms. Are the lights the same age? My guess is that the lights need changing. Also check no3 to be sure it's not helping to fuel it.

 

[prsnlty]

You can get a sand sifting starfish or a sand sifting goby that will continuously keep your sb clean. The starfish won't make a mess however at first the goby will. He'll make it look like there's a sandstorm in your tank but they do an excellent job and very quickly. The sand will settle in about a week.