Odd colors on my DSB

[lerch]

I have about 2 inches of live sand in my tank and over the last few weeks the sand has become overun with what appears to be green algea and what appears to be an odd red orange color. The stuff has only showed up on a kinda small portions of the tank but it is making me curious. My hermits and my yellow tang seem to like to eat the green but nothing has touched the red. What is this???????? <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[broomer5]

Most likely some green algae, and the red is probably cynobacteria - you'll see little patches of it appear here and there, between the glass and sand.
Nothing to worry about if that is where this is appearing - it's natural and part of the sandbed.
Happens to most every tank.
If it is on the top of the sand - that is a different story.
What are your water test readings ?

 

[burnnspy]

The red-orange may be red slime(cyanobacteria) an indicator of poor water quality.
What are the water parameters?
BurnNspy

 

[ebeckels]

hey burn...are u no longer a shark??? Are u higher than a shark?

 

[lerch]

My ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates are all perfect. The coloration is on top of the sand, so what do I need to do, should I test for something else??????
PLEASE HELP ME

 

[beth]

What filtration are you using? 2" LS is not enough for a DSB if you plan to use the sandbed as a natural filtration.

 

[broomer5]

I'm repeating myself here .....
but Lerch .. whenever you have an algae problem in your tank, you may want to test for phosphates as well.
What are you using for water source:
RO, RO/DI, Tap <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
Overfeeding ?
Circulation ?

 

[lerch]

I am using RO water, if I have a phosphate problem how do I remedy it???? Is 4 inches of live sand enough?????

 

[javajoe]

you mentioned only 2 inches of Live Sand in your signature-- what is making up the rest of you DSB?

 

[broomer5]

Algae needs several things to grow.
The number one thing to check for is PHOSPHATES and NITRATES.
PHOSPHATES + NITRATES + LIGHT = ALGAE
If you have phosphates, you need to determine where they are coming from.
Within the tank they may be coming from either
1) Overfeeding = wastes = phosphates
2) Overstocked = wastes = phosphates
3) Decaying organic matter
4) Activated carbon may contain phosphate.
Or combination of all the above. Any organic matter that is added to the tank or is allowed to accumulate = wastes = phosphates.
Outside the tank - check your water source. If using tap water check if for phosphates as well.
Clean up crews do a good job removing existing alage. The challange is to figure out the phosphate source.
Brittle stars, hermit crabs, etc ... will help to remove any food that was not eaten, that settles to the bottom.
Phosphate pads - some claim they work well - others don't. If used they should be removed after 24 hours or so. Not a cure at all.
A tank with little to zero phosphate levels, and low nitrates provide no energy source for the algae. It will not grow.
Lighting can be reduced as well - but again this is not the root cause.
Test water for phosphates - algae will not grow at levels below 0.02 mg/l
Determine source and eliminate it
Reduce duration of lighting
Add a skimmer
Add a good clean up crew
Increase circulation
Siphon off detritus
Hope this helps and good luck !
Brian