Cyano or diatom redish brown sand

[Monica25]

Hello all,

Well it's been a while since I last posted. My tank recently has started to get the redish brown stuff on the sand. This happened when I first started the cycling but cleared completely up and now about a month later it's back. It's only in the areas where the light hits. Shady areas are clean and white. Just wondering if maybe I should get a small conch snail or what? All I have is a cleaner shrimp,red firefish and two nerites and to nassareous snails. What would help? All the levels in the water are good.

Thanks,
monica

[FireWater]

Remind me what bulbs you are running. It could be time for a bulb change.

[Monica25]

They are the original biocube bulbs and it's a new tank only been up since januarary.

[FireWater]

Are you still keeping up with your water changes? You can try to up the clean up crew as well.
What about flow? I know you said you got a koralia. Sometimes the extra flow to unlighted areas can help.
How about checking your new water parameters. What are you using to make the new water with? Tap or RO or RODI?

[Monica25]

Sorry took so long to reply. Yes I keep up with water changes all levels are good. So then I should try to direct the flow to the shady areas? Right now the koralia is just facing the water column on top. I buy my water premixed at Texas tropical. I bought a tiger sand conch snail today. I have two nerites, two nassarius and now one tiger sand conch. Is that to much? I don't want any of them to starve...

[kkiel02]

I would test the water you get for phosphates and silicates. You can also run phosban in a reactor to get these out of your tank. You will want to eventually buy your own ro/di unit when you get the chance as it will eventually save you money.