Sandbed Algae Solution? Suggestions?

[SurfTrack]

Hey, any suggestions for getting rid of this algae on my sandbed?
Every time I vacuum it, it just comes back.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hey, any suggestions for getting rid of this algae on my sandbed?
Every time I vacuum it, it just comes back.

How old is the tank?

Could be diatoms.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Also what color is it in person?
What is the growth like if you dont vacuum it?

 

[SurfTrack]

How old is the tank?

Could be diatoms.

Also what color is it in person?
What is the growth like if you dont vacuum it?

Almost 2 years

Its like an orange color with hints of green here and there. It doesn't get much worse than that.

 

[cracker]

Hey surf, same thing here, it got so bad I siphoned all the sand out. Still have algae everywhere but not on a sand bed !
Hope Ya don't mind if I follow

 

[SurfTrack]

Hey surf, same thing here, it got so bad I siphoned all the sand out. Still have algae everywhere but not on a sand bed !
Hope Ya don't mind if I follow

Go ahead!

Have you tried anything other than that?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Depending on your water parameters and lighting, could be the issue.

You could attempt to vacuum it out and up your flow in the tank.

 

[Gareth elliott]

It could be diatoms mixed with film alage. Does it blow away like sand or a sheet?

 

[SurfTrack]

It could be diatoms mixed with film alage. Does it blow away like sand or a sheet?

Its not really like a sheet or blanket. If I touch it or blow on it, it just overturns and rubs off.

 

[cracker]

my issue was HA growing. I didn't vacum regular. I have been watching nutrients level for some time now. increased flow got a better light for the refugium etc. I never had high nutrients(according to my testing ) but still had the algae growing in the sand. I would like to add a sand bed in the future .

 

[Gareth elliott]

Does sound like diatoms.

I do not have a lot of experience with them tbh. But i was reading a paper on certain species that have a chemical defense that acts like a sterility agent to copepods. Copepods eat them, become sterile and there isn’t a second generation to continue control. I have no idea if these are present in our aquariums btw, but might explain how some older tanks get them and some dont.

Check your ro/di for silicates, easiest would be icp. Not the best solution but could attempt to remove what they use to build their wall.

A microscope is probably needed to ensure its diatoms though, this silicon removal will not effect any other algae it could be.

 

[cracker]

Agreed could be diatoms , that's a different situation with it's own cures. Right ?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Agreed could be diatoms , that's a different situation with it's own cures. Right ?

I have never had diatoms is an established tank, without some disturbances in the microfauna population. Even when i was trying to culture them dosing sodium silicate to outcompete dinos, quickly disappeared as soon as i added a macro algae. So i am not the one to ask on diatom cures [emoji23]