Brown Sand! What to do?

[CoralBandit]

I was referring to a liquid carbon like vodka

 

[CoralBandit]

Bacteria need about a 10:1 ratio of carbon units to nitrogen units to effectively oxidize the Nitrogen. So its good to add some carbon via vodka but I wouldnt start off with too much and I dont really believe in overdoing it. I just add a ml/day. It also helps your skimmer a lot too which will help export nutrients = less brown. It helps the skimmer b/c ethanol is amphipathic and can bind to carbon (dirt and grime) and bind to water making small chunks coagulate into a larger target for skimmer. You can see a big difference.

 

[FiReBReTHa]

Danke Coral, now I dont have to type up, lol. I was also trying to find more articles on when that happens. Sand stirrers are just a way to try to help mix it up, but they dont make it all the way to the bottom which then becomes a rock.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

My problem with that is can you imagine if someone caught me buying vodka? LOL! I am a Pastor BTW. :)

 

[CoralBandit]

Its for your fish tank. Whats the diff from wine? its wine without the calories ;)

 

[FiReBReTHa]

I had a fight with brown recently too
12-19

12-28

 

[CoralBandit]

Ask your wife lol

 

[CoralBandit]

I also have a small army of nessarius snails and 3 conchs which I recommend to anyone with sandbed I have oolite and its bright white always. Im sorry I cant take pics :( I only have a camera phone for a camera Its 5MP but tank is too bright. I will try tonight.

 

[CoralBandit]

Catch this thread later good luck rev, im going to the home depot to try and silence my durso

 

[Troylee]

I have always ran the mb7 and vodka diet...its trully a sweet combo that makes tank sparkle, but you need a good skimmer to pull the excess nutrients or problems will occur....if you try it just start at the low dose and stay with it....brightwells biofuel is the same as vodka but a lot more expensive..lol

 

[terryagi]

My sand kept turning brown even after I added some nassarius snails. I added a starry blenny just because I wanted one, and it keeps the sand white :squigglemouth:

 

[CoralBandit]

snails wont keep it from turning brown but they keep it fresh. If you have diatoms they grow back in 15 minutes gotta battle it via nutrient export and raising pH

 

[makingbubbles]

I swear by my spider conch! he eats like a champ and will even eat red slime. I also have 3 nassarius snails. My sand bed stays clean most of the time. Recently we had 2 nights of below freezing weather here in texas, and my tanks in the garage bedroom (heater not working). Anyways my 75gal tank that has 450watts of heaters, got down to 63 degrees. Im now experienceing a some brown sand but i belive its due to die off due to the temp. Dont worrie all my corals are fine and dandy. I have also seen an increase in coraline algae durring the cold wether. (wierd)

 

[mpoletti]

mb7 will cure that also....i highly recommend that stuff....;)

Mb7 will not cure it if is a diatom based brown alage.

 

[mpoletti]

My problem with that is can you imagine if someone caught me buying vodka? LOL! I am a Pastor BTW. :)

I know the oddity, What's even better is when I came home with vodka for my tank, even though I'm a drunkard and have not felt the need to take a drink in a loooooong time :)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

LOL! I have a buddy picking me up some tomorrow. LOL!

 

[Ike]

I doubt this is diatoms in a tank that has been set up for a while and is probably lacking silicates. What you're dealing with is probably a type of cyanobacteria or dinoflaggelate and if that's the case all dosing vodka will do is make matters worse.

 

[wishntoboutside]

hey rev here is the under 21 version of vodka for ya

http://www.reefgeek.com/care_&_maintenance/Additives_&_Supplements/NP_BioPellets/

that way your community will not be in shock seeing you in the liquor store.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Ok update time!!

I never started dosing anything because I wanted to try the easier things. I changed my flow up a little, started dripping my effluent into some rubble, and started adding kalkwater to the tank. Oh I also upped my skimmer production.

Now it is BROWNER than EVER!!! Even the back glass is green for the first time in over a year!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

On a side note, my sps and other corals are looking the best they have looked in a long time! I am beginning to wonder if my top off water isnt getting phosphates leached into it from my brute garbage container.

I am going to check the PO here in a bit on that water.