Live Sand Has Red alge On It?

[joeywatts]

JUST WANTED SOME HELP IN GETTING RID OFF THIS REDISH COLOR (ALGE, I GUESS) THAT IS ALL OVER MY REEF LIVE SAND....
i CAN MOVE THE SAND AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR BUT COMES BACK IN A FEW DAYS..... ANY ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT?...THANKS - F.Y.I. 220 GALLONS, TESTS SHOW EVERYTHING OK AS FAR AS NITRATES, PH ETC....THANKS

 

[jodeman]

The red stuff is probably "red slime" algae. It's common to newer tanks. There has been lots of post on this subject, so do a search and you'll find lots of info on the subject. Don't freak out about it. When I had it, I thought it was never going to go away. I did multiple water changes, but it still remained. After about 3 weeks it dissapeared. I guess it just has to run it's cycle.
good luck!

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

relax and be patient - wait a few days and start to scrape it off with your net.
You can also leave your light on - or off a full 24 hours - this drives the algae cycle nuts.

 

[jdawson]

Stay calm. Your tank will eventually cycle past the red slim algae. Until then, increasing water movement on the affected area and adding sand shifting critters will help.