Confused

[denhay14]

I've had my 29 gallon saltwater tank for about two months and everything seems to be going fine, but there are some things I dont understand. For example my live sand by the glass, underneath, is green and red in some spots. What is that? I'm afraid to move it around incase it releases some toxins and kills my fish/coral. Hopefully someone can answer that to start off with.

[kronos5]

My guess is that you have some algae growth on your sand. Two months is a pretty short time to build up toxin gases.

[denhay14]

What is the cause of it and how do I fix it?

[Reefland]

You don't want to fix it, it is perfectly normal below a sand bed.
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[zhenya]

It is all part of your mini ecosystem that you created. Some cyanobacteria and algae are intrical part of any healthy ecosystem. So no worries there.
You worry when one or the other become over abundant, and so, balance is everything....

PS.

;)

[Ninong]

For example my live sand by the glass, underneath, is green and red in some spots. What is that?

Cyanobacteria and algae, both of which are photosynthetic. That's the best place for both of them. Don't do anything. Leave them alone. If cyano and nuisance algae shows up on the surface of your sand bed, that's when you need to take corrective measures.

You do NOT have a problem. Relax.

[denhay14]

Ok thats good, one thing off my chest. Next thing that seems to be fixed but I dont think we should have to fix it by the way we did it. The water flow in the tank I have seems to be going extremly fast which caused the water not to be able to get through the filters quick enough, and started shooting out air. Nothing is blocking the water flow, so we used two paper clip things to slow down the water flow; which has been succesful. Is that ok if I did that, and is there a problem if the water flow isn't going as fast as it was?

[denhay14]

Anyone have suggestions?

[Seige]

You'll want to make sure the clips don't leach metal into the water or rust. Did you try different water levels?

Can you supply any pics?

[denhay14]

These are the carbon balls and I don't think there is anything really wrong with them they are just there.

This is the first part of the filter which is a pad which seems to get dark brown in about 2 days, when im suppose to clean it every 1-2 weeks?

This is the pump I don't know how well you can see it but, the clips are a little rusted. I do change them when they get rusted though.

[Seige]

The metal from the clips is likely poisoning your system killing any inverts and other Livestock. It's very hard to remove poisons without totally replacing equipment so it may be too late but I'd remove the clips immediately.

Other then that I don't know. Maybe if you list the make and model of the filter you may get better advice.

[denhay14]

Ok, I tried to take off one paperclip yesterday, but the waterflow was to quick and started shooting air into the tank after about 30 seconds. Hopefully someone will give me an answer on what to do very soon.

Bio cube size 29 gallon, pump flow rate: 243 GPH (920 L/H),
Dimension: 20"1 x 20.75"w x 19.25"h

If you need anything else ask please help.

[Seige]

I'm slightly confused about the actual problem.

Are you saying you have a mechanical filter that isn't drawing water fast enough from the tank resulting in it shooting air into the tank? You mentioned tank waterflow. Do you have a powerhead near the filter intake???

What make / model of filter are you running? Maybe it's the wrong size for your tank.


The water flow in the tank I have seems to be going extremly fast which caused the water not to be able to get through the filters quick enough, and started shooting out air. Nothing is blocking the water flow, so we used two paper clip things to slow down the water flow; which has been succesful. Is that ok if I did that, and is there a problem if the water flow isn't going as fast as it was?

[denhay14]

I don't know where to find the make/model of it, but it came with the aquarium so i'm pretty sure that its the right filter and everything else because it all came together with the Bio Cube.

If i'm not mistaken the powerhead is just the thing that pumps the water throughout the tank, right? If so then I have one in the third, and final chamber of my filtering process.

The problem is that when I take the paperclips off the pump shoots the water out to quickly for the other water to get back into the chamber with the pump. Or the pump can be normal, which I doubt, and the filtering progress goes far to slow. I'm pretty sure the pump is just abnormal because there is only a pad to go through and the bio carbon balls.

Hope that helps you solve my problem=\

[Seige]

What make / model of bio cube then? I'd be calling the manufacturer.

Could you increase the size of the slot that allows water entry?

I did a google search for you. Read this thread. It seems to be about a similar issue. It might help. 29 gallon Biocube - Saltwaterfish.com Message Boards

Your tank will likely be contaminated with metals though so that'll be your next problem.

[Seige]

Another link about your issue

Pump in new biocube is sucking air and draining well immediately. What do I do? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

[denhay14]

The first link helped out a lot thanks. It said that I could restrict the waterflow with something so i'll try something like a couple plastic clips to do that instead of metal.

As for the metal rusting and going into the tank. I don't believe that should be that big of an issue considering that the clips are above the water, therefor, it doesn't contamidate it.

[Seige]

The first link helped out a lot thanks. It said that I could restrict the waterflow with something so i'll try something like a couple plastic clips to do that instead of metal.

As for the metal rusting and going into the tank. I don't believe that should be that big of an issue considering that the clips are above the water, therefor, it doesn't contamidate it.

Great. I'd probably replace all the water anyway just to reduce contaminants before they get absorbed. Don't know if that will help but it should clean some out. It doesn't take much contamination from metals to do serious damage. Keep an eye on your invertebrates and corals. They'll die off if you have metal contamination.

[denhay14]

Alright ill try and do it as soon as possible. I have another question about the live sand. Do I just leave it be forever or should I move it around;replace it or what?

[denhay14]

Ok Seige or who ever else reads this, I think I solved my rust problem, just tell me if you think this will work out. We disposed of the old tube which the clips were clamped on to due to rust and bought a new one and clamped it with 2 or 3 plastic zip ties. Is that safe?