Stuff growing on my sand

Please....anyone on the black stuff...help

 

You might read this article.

Red Slime Algae (Cyanobacteria)

From the article "Despite the naming, only about half of these organisms are actually blue-green in color. Most forms found in saltwater are other colors, ranging from blackish green to blue-green, from orange-yellow to reddish-brown, and often appear deep purple to fully black in color. Starting out as small patches, it spreads out from there as a mat of sheeting covering. "

I would guess both your pink and black issues are actually Cyanobacteria.

I would also add these questions: When was the last time you changed your light bulbs? Is your skimmer working normally?? The article goes into other questions and thoughts.

Hope that helped.

Mark

 

We just removed our skimmer...couldnt figure out what was wrong...pump seemed to be working great but there wasnt anything building in th cup for a week or two and where the foam block thing is somtimes there would be air trapped under it. someimes mutimple times a day. we would remove the foam piece or press down on it to release the air. when we had the skimmer issue it seemed like we had tooonnnss of air bubbles in the tank and there were some stuck on the rocks if you will and since we removed the skimmer obviously that is gone. Oh and sometimes there wasnt any airbubbles in the tall tube part of the skimmer til we either moved the pump or some of the hose thingies. It would just turn on. It was wierd. Just wasnt right. I didnt want to remove the skimmer but we dont have money to replace equipment right now and we dont have any corals or anemones in tank and someone once told us thats mainly what is was for. We def plan on replacinging if it is broke. was there something we could have done to the skimmer first. It only has like a year maybe two of running time on it. Same with the lights. We plan on replacing those in Jan.

How many power heads should I get for 75 and where should i place. I have water flow almost directly in middle but it flows only to one side.

 

Is the red slime remover stuff safe to use with all my live sotck in there?

 

Skimmers are good in fish only tanks as well. They remove organics and proteins. So, I would think that getting the skimmer working would be a good thing regardless, but I am new to this as well. I kept salt fish only for a few years, but am totally new to corals.

Yes, I used Red Slime remover in my fish only and had no problems. Still I would consult more experienced people and want to know the specific live stock that you have in the tank.

I would also say that I thought lights were supposed to be replaced every 9 months or so. That might be part of your problem.

Finally, what filtration do you have?? Sump?? Taking the skimmer out changed your nutrient export balance, thus you are probably building up stuff that you were not in the past.

The thing that I enjoy about this is that it is all an interconnected, balanced system. Change one thing and it impacts another. I like the challenge and puzzle of it all.

On all that I say, please consult someone more experienced. I share what I have learned to share but not to imply that I am knowledgable.

Mark

 

The dark stuff on your sand looks like algae also.If you can give some more info on your skimmer someone may be able to advise you to get it working.This would help with your algae problem by reducing nutrients in your water which is what algae thrives on.Also cutting back on feeding would help as would more flow in your tank.The skimmer problem could be a problem with air flow,or adjustment of it,its hard to tell without more infobut it probably could be worked out.For more flow a powerhead at each end of the tank facing each other would work well,Koralia 2 powerheads or maybe Koralia 3's might be good.Maybe some others with same size tank can advise which would be better.

 

BTW,if you can get more info on your skimmer post a thread under skimmers and you can probably get some help with it.

 

Yes. I have used it personally with success. However its a band aid to the problem. It will remove the cyano, but regular water changes and nutrient export will be required to keep it from returning.