Brown Sand

[sub ceroh]

No idea why my sand is turning brown?? I just recently cleaned and replaced all my filters and it is only in this one spot. Is this the fish litter box??

 

[Flake]

my guess would be diatoms, a type of algae. If the tank is new, then you're going to see all sorts of algae for a while

 

[melosu58]

I agree with Flake. Diatoms that feed on silicates. You are not using tap water are you?

 

[sub ceroh]

yep its new 2 weeks at my house but was previously set up with same sand and rocks for over a year. Should I mix it around or leave it alone?

 

[Flake]

leave it alone, it should burn itself out.

 

[sub ceroh]

Yes and then I prime and mix with salt.

 

[Flake]

The tap water is your problem. Prime removes chlorines and chloramines but not phosphates or silicates which cause the algae.

It should burn itself out but with tap water, you'll be seeing it again.

 

[sub ceroh]

so I need to buy spring water or pre mixed?

 

[Flake]

those aren't much better than tap water. You'll eventually want to invest in an RO filter or a deionizer.

 

[sub ceroh]

ok thanks!!

 

[Caige]

I bought a 150gpd RODI unit from ebay for $99 !! I have been using for about 1 1/2 months now and works great!

 

[melosu58]

Go with a RO/DI unit. Read this for tap water

Chemistry and the Aquarium

 

[sub ceroh]

WOW great info!! Thanks melosu58