[das04j]

hello everyone, i need some help. I really would like to have clean sand! i get a little brown algea the tends to stay on it. Any suggestions besides cleaning?

[pogodzib]

What are your phosphates and nitrate readings? What do you have for a cleanup crew? Having no phosphates or nitrates should prevent it from forming and a good cleanup crew will stir the surface of the sand to prevent anything from forming on it.

[NOSAJ214]

Also how long are you running your lights for?

[spanko]

Good flow, control phosphates and nitrates to as near zero as possible. As for clean up crew I like Nassarius and Cerith snails. They both run around in and under the sand and the Nass is primarily a meat eater while the Cerith is a herbivore giving you the benefit of having the sand cleaned of both.

[Todd L]

Henry,
I had a bunch of Nassarius snails in my tank some time ago, but my hermits ate them all.....do you know if it's just the blue-legged hermits that kill them? I'd like to get more, but not if they're only going to wind up being crab food! lol

[spanko]

Hmmmm......seems strange to me that the hermits would eat the Nassarius but strange things happen. Did the hermits take the shells? Really can't help much as I have not experienced what you are saying. My tank had Nassarius and hermits and I did not lose any.
They are great snails though. Like night of the living dead when the smell food and come out of the sand.....Mu Ha Ha Ha!!!

[Br14n55reef]

how long has the tank been running, This algae might be part of the cycleing process

[demonsquirt]

What size tank and age?
Whats used for flow?
Any CUC?
Amount of LR and LS?
Is the tank by a window or air vent?

[das04j]

38gal
powerheads (20x turn over/hr)
no vent nor window
and no cuc
40LB of sand and 60 lb of rock

[Krazy]

What is the tanks age?

Is there a skimmer being run ??

Do you test the parameters? (if so please post them)

[demonsquirt]

Some CUC would help. How are the powerheads pointed?
And whats the tanks age?

You could mix up small areas right before water changes to remove more and do this weekly untill its cleaner with some nass snails and good flow and reduceing your light time if you have no stock.

[lucas224]

chemiclean red slime remover cleans the red algae and cleans the sand good too. I used it in my 55g reef tank and in three days I could tell a big difference.

[demonsquirt]

This is not the cure.Its only temporary. Fixing the source and whatching its reduction is the only true way.
Red slime's main sources are excess nutrients from poor flow or water source or feeding and stocking habits or tank maintance. Ill say its a safe bet to say its from atleast 2 of the reasons i listed or more then 2.

Originally Posted by lucas224

chemiclean red slime remover cleans the red algae and cleans the sand good too. I used it in my 55g reef tank and in three days I could tell a big difference.

[das04j]

i have a remora skimmer, Its was a nitrate spike that did it. I have HOB fuge and the pump stop working. I did a water change and that help a little but it has come back.