Algae bloom?

[rebelyeller89]

Not to seem like a total newbie, but is this am algae bloom or something? Seems like all the sudden my sand turned this dark rust color on top.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Not to seem like a total newbie, but is this am algae bloom or something? Seems like all the sudden my sand turned this dark rust color on top.

Could be, do you vacuum it at all? Is it a newly setup tank? Might be BA, but it's hard to tell from the pic.

I have moderately planted tanks and vacuum my sand in open areas.

Here's a link that might help.

Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association » Algae in the Planted Aquarium

 

[rich311k]

Looks like diatoms to me. Give it a month chances are excellent iit will go away.

 

[rebelyeller89]

Yes. It's fairly new. I do vacuum when I see any food setting on the bottom or waste. And I have a couple corkscrew Val. in there.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Yes. It's fairly new. I do vacuum when I see any food setting on the bottom or waste. And I have a couple corkscrew Val. in there.

Here's an adaption of a gravel vac I use for my sand beds:

Cool Tools: Share Your Aquatic/Non-Aquatic finds with AA - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

It works great!

 

[rebelyeller89]

Ok, thanks. I fixed up something kinda like that today. Worked pretty well.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Ok, thanks. I fixed up something kinda like that today. Worked pretty well.

Good to hear. Feel free to share it on that thread if you like .

 

[rebelyeller89]

Basically it was a vacuum with three tooth picks rubber banded to it. Lol.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Basically it was a vacuum with three tooth picks rubber banded to it. Lol.

Kinda like a rake? I like that idea!

 

[rebelyeller89]

I'll upload a picture in the morning. Its a small round vacuum, but it worked pretty well.

 

[rebelyeller89]

This is what it looks like.
Dumb question: if I had a bigger vacuum would it have more suction? Cause I'm having a hard time cleaning up all the Pleco waste with this thing. It seems too heavy.

 

[rich311k]

Actually a narrower tube would give more suction. Some waste is too heavy to siphon out.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

This is what it looks like.
Dumb question: if I had a bigger vacuum would it have more suction? Cause I'm having a hard time cleaning up all the Pleco waste with this thing. It seems too heavy.

Cool, poo rake . I like the idea.

Rich is correct, narrow tube=better suction.