Good Sand Cleaner?

[julesjt]

What do you recommend to keep your sand clean? I see different types of Gobies and blennies but want one more for algae and not brine shrimp and worms.

My sand is pretty dirty with brown algae that is like a layer of paper.

[Ninong]

What do you recommend to keep your sand clean?

Can't make a recommendation without knowing the size of your aquarium and the type of sand bed you have. Also, the depth of the sand bed.

I see different types of Gobies and blennies but want one more for algae and not brine shrimp and worms.

I'm confused by this sentence, especially the part about "not brine shrimp and worms." I really don't know what you're saying here. ???

My sand is pretty dirty with brown algae that is like a layer of paper.

Are you talking about diatoms? If so, then you have a problem with excess silicate in your water. This usually comes from your source water. What sort of water are you using to make up your batches of saltwater?

Diatoms require silica to construct their cell walls. Reduce the level of silica and you reduce the level of diatoms.

[julesjt]

Can't make a recommendation without knowing the size of your aquarium and the type of sand bed you have. Also, the depth of the sand bed.

My tank is a new 3.5 month old Reef tank that is 90 Gallons with 30 Gallon Sump. The sand is an aragonite sand about 1.5 inches deep

I'm confused by this sentence, especially the part about "not brine shrimp and worms." I really don't know what you're saying here. ???

I see some eat more aglae and some eat more on shrimp and worms. I am having an algae problem.

Are you talking about diatoms? If so, then you have a problem with excess silicate in your water. This usually comes from your source water. What sort of water are you using to make up your batches of saltwater?

I am using a new 5 stage RO filter. And the salt I am using is instant ocean reef salt

[Ninong]

Okay, now I understand what you're talking about. Your 1.5" sand bed is a shallow sand bed. I'm probably not the best person in the world to advise you on how to maintain a shallow sand bed because my personal preference is for deeper sand beds, at least 3" deep.

I wasn't sure what you meant about "brine shrimp and worms," but now I see that you were talking about what different fish eat. The various sand-sifting gobies eat the tiny microfauna that inhabit the sand bed. I can't tell you much about which would be best for a 1.5" sand bed. In general, these fish are not employed with deep sand beds because they eat the beneficial sand bed critters that we would rather preserve so that they can keep the sand bed functioning properly.

Some people actually do keep sand-sifting gobies with deep sand beds but that's because they have a different approach to what is best for their tank. Personally, I believe that sand-sifting gobies and sand-shifting sea stars are not appropriate in reef aquariums with deep sand beds because they cause more harm than good. A sand-shifting sea star would not thrive in your tank and I'm not sure which sand-sifting gobies might work. Maybe someone else can offer a suggestion.

I'm not sure there are any gobies that consume diatoms. Maybe someone else would care to comment on that. The fighting conch (Strombus alatus) does eat diatoms and so does the Mexican turbo snail (Turbo fluctuosus). However, they won't be able to eliminate them because the diatoms will reproduce too fast for them to keep up.

The best way to control diatoms is to control silicate. They simply cannot exist without silicate. Eliminate excess silicate and you will control diatoms. You will always have some diatoms but they won't be obvious. Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't help you on the source of your silicates. Usually it's in the source water but you're using good source water.

[Ninong]

It's quite possible that your current diatom bloom will go away on its own without you doing anything about it. If it lasts more than three weeks, then that's unusual.

[zhenya]

To add to what Ninong had suggested already, perhaps tiger tail sea cucumber may be of help. This type of holothurians are sand mappers ( in other words they have set of tenticles that they use as map) and clean sand pretty good.

[Ninong]

To add to what Ninong had suggested already, perhaps tiger tail sea cucumber may be of help. This type of holothurians are sand mappers ( in other words they have set of tenticles that they use as map) and clean sand pretty good.

Yes, that's a good idea but I think maybe he should wait a couple of months or so. His tank is just 3.5 months old. And maybe he will consider the possibility of adding a little more aragonite sand? That's entirely optional but I have always thought that deeper sand beds are better than shallow sand beds and contribute to the stability of the system.

[julesjt]

I will try and add a bit more sand in phases. Should I just put it over top of the brown sludge or try and remove as much as possible and than add the sand over top in phases?

I will also be patient too and go with what most people are saying that it will go away on its own. All my polyps and mushrooms are blooming and looking good. The water is crystal clear and the fish are happy but I just have this ugly sand.

[Bloodydecks]

I will try and add a bit more sand in phases. Should I just put it over top of the brown sludge or try and remove as much as possible and than add the sand over top in phases?

I will also be patient too and go with what most people are saying that it will go away on its own. All my polyps and mushrooms are blooming and looking good. The water is crystal clear and the fish are happy but I just have this ugly sand.

This is common with new tanks...I have had it happen in many of my new sets ups..makes me nuts. i use nothing but RO DI water...and reef crystal sea salt. Silicates are definitely a true cause...but in my experience, i have zero levels of silicates, but still had diatom issues.....the only similar factor thing in all the taks was the age..when new, diatoms up th wazo, as the tank aged, these decreased to almost nothing...

Turbno snails, Sand sifting stars work well, but (your tank may be to new, and not able to support the feeding of the star, plus they eat the good organisms along worth the bad).

Sea Cucumbers are a great idea. Even some tiny blu leg hermits will help, but it will not solve the problem. ANyway..all good info so far .....hang in there. It can be very frustrating. Also, good water movement will help keep the diatoms suspended..so they will filter out.

Also, if you can, with out affecting your corals, cut the lighting back a few hours...set the times so the lights so that they are only on when you are around to enjoy the tank. For example, f you work form 8-5p..set the timer so the light come from 4:30-11pm. instead of say, ..... noon to 9 pm. Just until the diatoms get a under better control.

[julesjt]

Thanks bloodydecks,

I am only doing light 6 hours right now because I was at 4 after my green algae breakout. My first algae breakout was just due to poor filtration and too much dead rock in the tank. I got that cleared with a 300 dollar skimmer and phosphate reactor and other sump changes. So I was going to start increasing the lights but I am keeping it to bare minimum for now until I get my new bulbs. My bulbs are old from the previous owner and I am getting my new MH Icecap 14K bulbs. So my bulbs could be causing this too. The only coral I have are polyps and mushrooms and they are doing just fine with the 5 hours of MH and 12 hours of actinic.

You are right the local pet guys and forums say this is just a beginning phase and I need to be patient and do my scheduled water changes. I just hate how nice the tank looks but the sand it really killing it!

Here is a picture.

[Bloodydecks]

Thanks bloodydecks,

I am only doing light 6 hours right now because I was at 4 after my green algae breakout. My first algae breakout was just due to poor filtration and too much dead rock in the tank. I got that cleared with a 300 dollar skimmer and phosphate reactor and other sump changes. So I was going to start increasing the lights but I am keeping it to bare minimum for now until I get my new bulbs. My bulbs are old from the previous owner and I am getting my new MH Icecap 14K bulbs. So my bulbs could be causing this too. The only coral I have are polyps and mushrooms and they are doing just fine with the 5 hours of MH and 12 hours of actinic.

You are right the local pet guys and forums say this is just a beginning phase and I need to be patient and do my scheduled water changes. I just hate how nice the tank looks but the sand it really killing it!

Here is a picture.

Cut the actinic way back to closer to 7 hours max, anf the halides to 4. The MH are over kill for your tank right now....but since thats what you have, use them. You may find when you switch out the bulbs, the algae and diatom issues will get worse.

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels...how about the pH, Alk and Calcium?

Edit:

Do you have two actinic bulbs...if you do, take one out, and ADD a full spectrum florescent (what ever type it is). Turn the halides off completely...(for now). Just use the two florescent bulbs as your main lighting. 8-10 hours. This should be sufficient to keep your current corals going. After about a month, fire up the halides (or new lights), but only ofr a few hours a day (along with the florescent at 8 hours). Increase the halides a fe hours every two weeks...until you get to 8-10 hours per day max.

With any new tank, you can't just fire up the MH's and leave them running for 6-8-10 hours per day. You have to ease into it at the tank matures.

[julesjt]

Alk - 9.4 khd
Cal - 440
Nitrate is near zero now but this was up after I did the bioball removal.
PH I dont know no tester yet

I will cut the lights down but my tank is deep and 175w MH shouldnt be too much. Heck I was told if I move to SPS to look into 250w.

I was sticking with 175w and higher k, I am using 10K and going to the bluer 15k.

I will cut the lights down until under control.

[Bloodydecks]

see my above edits.

[julesjt]

Thanks, I will try that approach. It is amazing how much there is with a reef system. I am enjoying it but I know it has to get better and more enjoyable.

[Jgisler2006]

Orange Spotted Diamond Goby, hands down, I have a 29 Gallon, and a 2 inch sand bed. I had the same problem with brown cyano as well. It all disappeared within a week.

[Steve McKay]

Fighting Conch's are good diatom eaters and they stir the sand bed quite well.

[julesjt]

Ok, i did get a goby. Cant remember which kind. more silver white, not so pretty but do some good work. He is making my water a little more filled with particles but for the most part stays close to the bottom when release sand from the guils.

The diatom is slowly going away but I am seeing some black or very very dark green aglae. This is rediculous. My water levels are great!

Still an early tank and I hope that is the issue.

I had an easier time benching 415 than doing this tank
YouTube - Jules 415 Bench 9-14-09

[Steve McKay]

Gobies can be a little irritating at times,throwing sand on corals,clams and generally everything.But they do serve a good purpose stirring the sand bed,I have a Yellow Watchman Goby and at times he is irritating.It's also nice to have fish living in the different levels of the water column.A goby is mainly a ground dweller.You will always have algae in one form or another,I have 0.0 nitrate and little phosphate and still have algae.Algae can be controlled largely with snails.