Algae under sand

Hi,

I am having an issue where algae is growing in the sand, down a few inches from the top. I have a lot of snails (picked up a quick crew from reefcleaners) but they don't seem to be turning it over or something. Any suggestions?

Also, I use RO water from the grocery store.

Thanks!

 

Are you sure it's algae? What color? What time of snails do you have? Not all are good sand sifters.

 

Here's a picture


I put in my cleanup crew 3 to 5 months ago I think.

It consisted of (from the reefcleaners site... I'm sure it had more in it than listed ) :
28 Dwarf Ceriths
11 Nassarius
12 Florida Ceriths
6 Large & 5 Small to Medium Nerites

 

I have that as well, mainly red and green in small patches. Put in a reefcleaners cuc and will be waiting a few days for results.

 

Ya. I'm just wondering if maybe the CUC isnt getting it close to the class. Should I just stur up the sand myself when I do my cleanings?

 

It's completely normal anaerobic growth. Just let it be, your clean up crew will not do anything for this!

If you don't like it, you can lower the sand depth along the front of your tank and that will make it less visible.

 

ok, good to know!

 

just take a credit card and push down along the glass. it will mix it up and it goes away in one push. ive always done it. usually it will take a month or so to come back. way to ugly for me to look at.