Weird stuff on sand bottom

[jonny_raff]

I have had my reef tank up for about 5 months now and all of a sudden i am getting brown debris and a wierd purplish web-like subsatnce of the sand... all my parameters are where they should be! Also a brown algea substance is growing on my rocks!!!! Please help!

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Looks like some type of Algae. Whats your phosphates at?

 

[Mjb51]

I had something similar could be the same thing red slime algae took a month to clear it, I sucked it up with gravel cleaner comes back pretty quick though but will go eventually, caused by high nitrate levels

 

[shorty2545]

It's an algae bloom. I had the same thing after sever months of being set up. Do PWC's and cut back on your lighting.

 

[Macscale]

Well, the pictures have a lot of noise, so it's kind of hard to tell. From your description it sounds like you have:
1. A diatom bloom
2. Red Slime/ Cyanobacteria

 

[jonny_raff]

Ok thank you

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I believe red slime algae is not only a phosphate issue, but a flow issue. We need some more information to help you. How much flow do you have?

 

[jonny_raff]

I dont think that it is red slime... its not redish its purple looking and not bright

 

[carey]

Slime can be purplish as well. Can it scrape off the rocks? If it comes off easily then its cyano, red slime.

What type of water do you use for water changes?

 

[jonny_raff]

Well sadly i had no clue about the dangers of tap water... well i used tap for a while and about a week ago something went wrong and the tank "crashed"... i lost all my coral and two tangs! Now i use RO/DI water!!! And its just on the sand!!! Not on the rocks at all

 

[Macscale]

How big is the tank?
The tap water definitely affected the tank... What is your flow?

 

[jonny_raff]

Im not sure how much exactly but i have 2 powerheads and 2 hang on the back filters... its a 55 gallon