I have something growing on my sand

[alsokol]

I have some stuff growing on my sand, it's the color of my live rock, not sure if it's really related. I take it off every time I do a water change, however it's coming back and getting bigger. If you know what it's please let me know and whether I need to do anything about it. I am attaching a picture.

Thank you.

 

[Widdy]

Looks like cyanobacteria. Does it recede when the light are offs?

 

[alsokol]

Not sure. Will watch today. Thanks.

 

[Kworker]

It is Cyano like Widdy stated.

How old is the tank? It could just be a part of the aging of the tank as mine went through it once for a month or so. However, could be from overfeeding or improper lighting. You can just remove it by hand or siphon it out.

 

[Widdy]

Cool, keep us posted. If it's cyano, there's several methods of removal/prevention. Some more intrusive (chemicals) than others (lights out/lower photoperiod/nutrient reduction/increase flow).

 

[alsokol]

It's a fairly new tank, about 5 months old.

 

[alsokol]

Ok. I just read about the method for shutting off lights. Thanks.

 

[reefs4life]

Definitely cyano, it happens to many of us. Best advice for it; keep doing water changes, increase your flow in the area, manually remove as much as you can and check your parameters. Hopefully you're using RO/DI. Other than that don't use any product that claims to get rid of it, usually not good for everything in the tank and it tends to come back anyways. Basically it's just a phase your tank is going through, no major worry right now.

 

[piranhapat]

I agree with Reef4life, but when removing cyano by siphon the water out. Use a filter sock and reuse the same water. By adding fresh saltwater mix I find it's adding more nutrients and delaying your water to age. Possible do something with removing good bacteria along with bad bacteria.

 

[jdnumis]

+1 with reefs. Definately use rodi water, then check lighting and over feeding. If you have an rodi filter already test the filter.