Need some help with black/grey stuff in my sand

[pjlovesbaskets]

Hello all,
I am new here. I need some help with my sand bed in my 125G. It has black stuff growing on the sand bed. Just a thin layer on top. I have sifted it out but now it is returning but looking more grey. I have a bunch of sifting snails and some other snails more for glass algae but I am not sure it is algae. The tank is about 3 months old. I have 2 yellow tangs, 3 clown fish, a star fish and a shrimp cleaner.
What do you suggest?

 

[ccampbell57]

this sounds the same as Fishman73's post in the aggressive forum...are you the same person posting twice?

 

[fish2]

its probaly diatoms

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Nope. Different post. I will try to find it to see what others said. What are diatoms? Are they bad and how do you get rid of it. I want a nice looking tank. It looks dirty.

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Hi folks,
I read the other post. I am not a troll. Just want a clean tank in appearance and a healthy one. I don't have dust just a film. Definitely not poop. I thought it looked like algae but am thinking mold. I would like some help. I will see what I can learn about diatoms but what I read on line so far doesn't sound like it since it isn't the same in color. However, I am learning. I did put in a little machine (not sure the name) that pushes the air around. That was the only suggestion my fish store had.
A couple other questions. I have read on this site that the Blue hippo tangs can be put together in groups but I am told by my most trustworthy salt water store in my area that they should not be placed in numbers. Just trying to see what is best. What are your thoughts. I had one die from stress a couple weeks ago. I know they get stressed easily but this one was the extreme. It was doing well and I clean the tank. It died. Anything I put in the tank like a net would make it pretend like it was going to die. I did get a refund. Do you recommend a baby or adult? Does it matter?
Trying to place some validity to my post. I have 4 tanks. One is a gold fish tank...40 gallon that was my starter tank. I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank with mostly live bearers and a 125G (3 month old) salt water tank. I also have a 20G Quarinteen tank. You could say I have the fish bug hobby pretty badly. It has become our family hobby.
Suggestions please....

 

[ccampbell57]

I would suggest getting a couple of powerheads in the tank to move the water and improve your circulation "little machines" .
I would suggest getting something that is around 800-1200gph. THis sounds like a water movement issue. As long as your readings are ok and you do water changes regularly then you should be ok.

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Yep, that is what the little machine is. I just put one it. I think it is getting better. It is really powerful. Thanks for the input. I will consider a second one. Thanks.

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Hey, I have some time to add a picture. The problem is getting worse as the days goes by. The powerhead doesn't seem to be helping much. What do you think?
I only have one powerhead because the one seemed to really freak out the fish enough that they were hanging out by one side of the tank. I adjusted it up some so that it didn't shoot down the center. I have it on the side. I'd be afraid to add another.
I just siphoned the tank and did about 10% water change one week ago. At that time, I sifted out the black stuff. It was worse and more thicker. I was able to catch a good part of it in a kitchen type laddle with holes in it. It looked a lot better afterward and I had a bucket of debris. But I know some of it just got mixed it up though.
Do I need a more aggressive clean up crew?

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

I know this is an older post but would really like some opinions. Took my water levels to my store and learned that my ammonia was up. (below 1) Did an 20% water change even though I did one a week ago and added live salt water to the tank. The fish aren't stressed but I want to feel good about the tank and a clean tank does that. I meant to take a picture to the store but forgot it. Will closely monitor.

 

[nickangel1]

yeah I know what you mean my tank has the same grey matter and it seems to be bothering my clove polyps they are staying contracted very strange usually they are the most active besides my buttons. but the grey matter covers some of my rock and sand and it bothers me to.