brown sand

[mobydick]

the sand in my reef tank keeps turning brown within 24hrs,water quality good,phosphate and nitrate ok,what am i doin wrong?

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

How old is the tank? What's your source water ( tap, RO, etc...) If its a new tank, its probably just diatoms which will fade as the tank matures. Also, make sure you have enough flow in case its red slime. Pictures might help better.

[mobydick]

How old is the tank? What's your source water ( tap, RO, etc...) If its a new tank, its probably just diatoms which will fade as the tank matures. Also, make sure you have enough flow in case its red slime. Pictures might help better.

tank is about 6 months old,water is RO ,i have a koralia 4 powerhead (11w 4600flow rate) sorry james no photo yet 1st timer

[Jessie Nicoletti]

i had that issue for a while as well try some red slime remover its this yellow powder you mix with water then add to the tank and also is this hapening in the whole tank or just part it came with a bunch of red leathery type slime on my rocks. also siphon the bottom and if you have some alagee on your rocks if you can remove it do so and suck it up in the siphon.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Does it look like this?
saltwater diatoms - Google Search

[Jessie Nicoletti]

thats kinda what mine looked like lucky it went away with what i did. i also increased my flow closer to the bottom with a korilla 1 slighlty lower but not aiming on the sand directly

[reeferbill]

Welcome to Reefland MobyDick , I agree with FoMoCoMasterTech more flow is good directed above the sustrate to discourage growth.I do not like using additives because they do not fix the problem . Recheck your water perameters and get rid of those phosphates. Good :uck and Happy Reefing!!! I love this hobby...