Need help w/ sand bed problem..

I have been having a hard time keeping my sand bed clean lately. It builds up this maroon type substance and will spread over the entire bottom if I dont keep it somewhat contained. This seemed to have all started when one of my shrooms began to die off. Ever since I have had this problem. Seems like there is something more I can do besides vaccuming and changing 20% of the water every week. Any suggestions??
Thanks Q

 

This isn't uncommon with sand beds. Phosphates are released and cyanobacteria (the maroon stuff) absorbs it immediately and the population takes off.

When you say you vacuum your sand bed, we need a little more info. Is your sand real fine or is it rough like crushed coral. When you vacuum, do you just lightly siphon off the top or are you vacuuming into the sandbed itself?

 

Hi,

The #1 cause of cyanobacteria is phosphates. That is of course assuming you have nitrates in control. To remove phosphates I like Rowa phosphate remover. It can be added to your overflow for good water flow and will remove both phosphates and silicates. This should help eliminate the problem within a week.

 

Also, try to increase the amount of water flow down deep in your tank around your substrate area!

 

Inwall75, Immediately after I read what you wrote I am thinking that I am just barying the problem deeper. Tell me if I am right? I have crushed coral and I vaccum about and inch deep at least. So will I be ok to get started with the rowa phosphate remover(whatever that is) or am I gonna have to remove everything from the tank to actually get rid of this?
Q

 

There are a lot of products out there to remove the cyanobacteria. I had the same problem and after using a removal product it was gone in 3 days.

I wouldn't worry.

 

The problem with the removal products is that they don't solve the underlying problem. Namely rotting detritus and the phosphates produced by it.

If I had a crushed coral substrate, I would vacuum it just like gravel in a freshwater tank whenever doing a water change all the way to the bottom. There are inexpensive gravel vacuums that work well in this regard. Here's one example. Gravel Cleaner Small - Aquar Cleaners at Arcata Pet Supplies If you happen to siphon up any worms, you can put on gloves and then throw them back into the tank.

I wouldn't do the entire bed in one day though. Maybe pick one fourth of your tank and vacuum it out real good. The following week, pick the next fourth, etc.

You might not need rowaphos if you get rid of all of the detritus.

 

I have already tried to remove everything from the tank except for a small amount of sand and i vaccumed portions of the tank every week but it still keeps coming back. My tank was never this hard to maintain. I have been looking at the different types of phosphate removers but I am not sure exactly which one to use. Is it better to actually add something into the tank or is it better to add it into the filtering system.

 

I had a cyano problem with my tank. Used this water change technique (An Instant Nitrate Reduction Method - A Multiple Step Water Change Procedure) & I was able to rectify the problem. The 20% water change doesn't reduce the concentrations down enough to make a difference.

 

Crushed coral

HI,
I believe that most of the DSB are made with layers of coarse and then fine sand up to 5 inch's or more in depth.
Mabe the crushed coral is catching the dietrus and isn't supporting the worms cause they like the fine sand.
So you may have a waste dump.
I would review the DSB concept and see if you are setup the way its reccomended other wise you will be fighting this problem forever.
I have seen alot of negative coments about dsb's due to problems with it being a phos dump.
Doug
A simple fix would be lots of that live rock in the main tank and add mud to the dsb maybe a inch or two, I like FIJI mud its a tad expensive but has the right consistancy for worms and other critters and is loaded with minerals thsi would seal off the crushed coral to the dietrus.