Brown Sand That Looks Like Crap!

[extinct 1ne]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3093063
I think RO water...is RO water...A lot of people buy units for their homes and use those...
You know diatoms are normal to new aquariums...You do need to rid the phosphates though..that is usually cause by too much nutrients...I would feed 1x a day....get the sand shifters/stirrers (conch) and add some flow and just wait it out
Thanks meowzer. I'll look into getting an RO unit next.

 

[ophiura]

Definitely no on the sand sifter star.
Possibly a sand sifter cuke.
I am not a fan of sand sifter gobies as, like the star, they are eating benficial microfauna.
I would say additional water changes with RO water. While you show no nitrates...the algae may use it and/or the test may not be completely accurate. More circulation low down on the sand. Less light and or new bulbs depending on their age. Also the fact it is a young tank leads to some of these issues as well.

 

[mindcage133]

Number one... it's a new tank be patient. My sand will get like this if I move a little too much sand around or once in a very long while vaccuum a portion of my sand bed. if you're moving the sand around a lot... Stop it! just be patient and with time it will balance out and go away. I'm not sure eight hours is too much but each tank is different. As for the mandarin.... you're gonna need a lot more rock to support the amount of food it'll need for long term survival unless you're able to get it to eat frozen.
good luck!

 

[extinct 1ne]

Originally Posted by Mindcage133
http:///forum/post/3093240
Number one... it's a new tank be patient. My sand will get like this if I move a little too much sand around or once in a very long while vaccuum a portion of my sand bed. if you're moving the sand around a lot... Stop it! just be patient and with time it will balance out and go away. I'm not sure eight hours is too much but each tank is different. As for the mandarin.... you're gonna need a lot more rock to support the amount of food it'll need for long term survival unless you're able to get it to eat frozen.
good luck!
Ok. Ohh, about the Mandarin. What if I just keep buying containers of pods if my tank is running low? I know I need more rock. Why does everyone think I'm getting the Mandarin right now? I plan to have around 80-90 Lbs. of rock total.

 

[extinct 1ne]

Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3093131
Definitely no on the sand sifter star.
Possibly a sand sifter cuke.
I am not a fan of sand sifter gobies as, like the star, they are eating benficial microfauna.
I would say additional water changes with RO water. While you show no nitrates...the algae may use it and/or the test may not be completely accurate. More circulation low down on the sand. Less light and or new bulbs depending on their age. Also the fact it is a young tank leads to some of these issues as well.
Thanks man!

 

[ryancw01]

Once you get more rock that will help out a lot. The RO/DI unit that you purchase will help too. It will eventually go away. Just don't add any chemicals or do anything crazy...Not sure if you have one or not, but the biggest game changer in a reef would probaby be a refugium...

 

[dingus890]

Originally Posted by Extinct 1ne
http:///forum/post/3093517
Ok. Ohh, about the Mandarin. What if I just keep buying containers of pods if my tank is running low? I know I need more rock. Why does everyone think I'm getting the Mandarin right now? I plan to have around 80-90 Lbs. of rock total.

Well most people that have sucess put Mandarins in there tank a year after it has matured. Not 2-3 months. The tank is only 1 month old. That is very new. A tank that is 6 months is still considered new. Just be patient as algae is very common in new aquariums.Feed only once a day and maybe step up the water changes.
I would also add a protein skimmer if you don't have one already.I know how much fun algae is.

I have been dealing with a hair invasion in my 20 nano tank after I went on vacation for 2 days and the power went out. I have a generator but one of my powerheads did not come back on. I lost my bubble tip anemone and the algae has been awful from the mico organisms that died.I just got a Tunze Nano skimmer so I hope this will help with the disolved nutrients.
Hope this helps.