red algae sand

[lmracer]

my 150 gal tank has a 2" live sand bottom i noticed that the lower sand was turning red against the acrylic side now that i came back from vacation i now have a 3-4 in patch on top of LS how can i get rid of the red sand and is it bad or dangerous i also have alot of brown algae on the tank sides and it is very hard to get off want to stop it too thanks ed

 

[Anonymous]

Higher flow rates in the sand a frequent water changes.

What are you water parameters and lighting situation?

 

[ChrisRD]

How old is the tank?

 

[lmracer]

tank is 6 mo old water parameters are normal there is no under gravel filter partial wet dry w/ skimmer and inline mech and carbon filters had a life guard fluidized bed filter but just removed it due to leak LR ,corals and fish are fine thanks for replies ED

 

[ChrisRD]

Was the tank/fish being fed while you were away on vacation? If so, how? Tank sitter, automatic feeder, etc.? In other words, is it possible that it was being fed more heavily than normal?

Also, a cyano bloom at this stage of the tank's life wouldn't be uncommon IMO. If you keep water quality and circulation high it should eventually run its course...

 

[lmracer]

the red sand was the before vacation but you could see it through the tank sides but the new patch came while i was away the tank had 2 auto feeders and they still had some food left after a week away i was having a problem with my pump (mag 18) after i installed the filters and a chiller guess it was to much plumbing for the pump ordered a mag 36 i think that will take care of the flow thanks for the info ED

 

[Rainman]

This is undoubtedly a red cyanobacterial slime. It's pretty common in new tanks that are overstocked and overfed with >0 nitrates. I had this problem, even with the most patient of all set-up processes possible.

My advice would be to syphon the slime off the sand whilst doing a water change. Be vigilant with these water changes and you should be able to prevent, rather than cure, such issues in the future.

Hope that helps

 

[Rainman]

p.s. I remember when I left my tank for 4 WEEKS! over christmas (with a samuri-like mind-set of everything's already dead). When I returned there was this algae all over the place. Get the water quality up to scratch and you should be o.k. p.s. if the nitrates are being utilised by the algae, they may not register on the test kit reading.