That thin brown algae on the top of the sand

[Mathman]

What is the best natural solution to getting rid of the brown skin on the sand. I tried snails and hermits... Typical cuc but no one touches it. My phosphates are. 15 using Hannah checker so a bit high but no other algae in the entire tank. I tried to just stir up but it comes back... I even got a diamond goby but he only cleans his little corner of the tank.

 

[HuduVudu]

Biodiversity is what usually cures algae problems. Keep stirring the sand and try to provide more biome diversity by adding small live rocks from various sources.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks. The tank has already been established for 9 months now and I have bioblocks in the sump. Maybe adding rocks from a different system would help??

 

[Billldg]

Can you post pics?

 

[HuduVudu]

Maybe adding rocks from a different system would help??

Systems ... you are looking for biodiversity at the lower levels.

 

[Mathman]

Do you mean pods worms etc

 

[HuduVudu]

Do you mean pods worms etc

Yes, and even lower ... zooplankton and phytoplankton.

 

[Mathman]

Would it be prudent to ask for a cup of sand from lfs or is that too risky?

 

[hikermike]

adding lfs sand would be risky. Both my diamondhead and my yellow head goby worked the whole tank...dump sand all over corals! NarsaRIOUS SNAILS AND CONCH SNAILS ALSO TURN THE BOTTOM OVER.

 

[HuduVudu]

Ask reefers in community with established tanks. Also places like Live Rock and Reef have solid live rock you can buy small amounts. Their rock is from all over the world. Just remember that it needs to be cycled.

 

[schuby]

Be sure it isn't diatoms caused by too much silicate. Treating for algae won't have any effect on diatoms.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Siphon and reduce white light intensity a little.
A dozen blue keg hermits would keep sand loose as would nassarius snails

 

[Mathman]

If it is diatoms/silicates what would you do differently?

 

[schuby]

I had diatoms. I thought they were brown algae because I couldn't believe my RO/DI water from LFS was high in silicate. After killing several corals with wrong treatment, I got a Silicate test kit. My LFS water was high. I changed LFS and diatoms went away in a week or two.
If you make ur own RO/DI, u may need to replace something. IDK