what is this on my sandbed??

[csv_scorpion]

can some one tell me what this is? also... will it go away??

 

[LA-Lawman]

how much waterflow do you have in the system. I would saay that could be a form of Cyano.. or even dinoflagellets. U need to increase the flow around the surface of the sand.

Siphon it out.... then maybe get a blenny or Diamond Goby to help turn the bed a little...... or direct a powerhead down to gently blow across the sand

doesn't look good to me

 

[csv_scorpion]

we used to have a goby that used to move sand a lot... but it would always skip over parts with this stuff on it.

also... we have the fluval and 2 powerheads in the tank. one powerhead is slanted downward at the sand but there still some hair like brown algae there.

 

[Will C1]

its hard too tell from the pic, is it more red or black??

 

[csv_scorpion]

yeah... sorry. the digi cam that i used was really small. it's not mine. i wish i had a digi cam.

it's more of a purple color. it feels slimy... and at some parts... looks like strands of hair.

 

[Joe DeSantis]

Try Chemi-clean by Boyd industries

 

[wombat1]

I got this after neglecting water changes for a few months...it occurs in areas of low flow first. Water changes (I did 10% weekly for a month) is the way to go. FWIW, my queen conch mows it down.

 

[Reef Goalie]

Looks like cyano most likely. Increase the flow or redirect it. Try increasing your alk level also. I use AragaMilk regularly for Ca and alk balance. Anything that will turn the bed without destroying your population would help too i.e. hermits and/or snails. I have small numbers of both. I get cyano sometimes in the low flow areas. Check your phosphate level also. This appears to be a contributor if it is high. Phosguard or similar product will take care of phosphate levels quickly. Hope this helps....

 

[csv_scorpion]

i've pointed my powerheads downward to create more movement on the surface of the sandbed, but now the sandbed is all... uneven. there's spots where there's 1 in of sand, and spots where there's 5 in of sand.

is this ok to have?

 

[csv_scorpion]

i've pointed my powerheads downward to create more movement on the surface of the sandbed, but now the sandbed is all... uneven. there's spots where there's 1 in of sand, and spots where there's 5 in of sand.

is this ok to have?

 

[Reef Goalie]

You want to even the bed out more than 1-5" variance. Respread the sand a little more evenly. I have hills and valleys but not nearly to the extent you have. Don't direct the flow onto the sand. Try to redirect flow across without creating a sandstorm or giant valleys. Too small a depth of sand reduces the nitrate reducing advantage of a DSB.