Just wondering...

[kirschwasser37]

So I found this stuff in my tank. I'm pretty sure the brown stuff is diatoms and the purple is coralline algae (although why is it on the sand?). However, I can't ID those stringy green things coming up out of the sand. Help?

 

[mr_X]

it appears to be some sort of macro algae. do you have a refugium attached to this tank? where did this sand bed come from, and how long has this tank been up? your "my tanks" tab says you just got a tank and it's cycling. it looks like pieces of chaetomorpha to me.

 

[kirschwasser37]

I got the sand bed with the tank, and yes, I have a refugium. I'm pretty sure it's done cycling from my water readings, but that stuff has been there all along.

 

[mr_X]

i think those are broken pieces of chaetomorpha. that's the only thing i have seen that looks like that. pull a piece out. does it have root-like appendages for anchoring, or is it just a long green string?

 

[the_fish_man]

the purple stuff is actually cyano bacteria. bad stuff

 

[kirschwasser37]

Ok, they're just strings, so chaeto? And if so, what should I do with it? Also, with the cyano, if it's bad, how do I get rid of it? I've got some snails coming in this week, will they clean it up? (Ceriths and zig zag periwinkle snails)

 

[mr_X]

i would take that chaeto out of the DT and put it in the refugium, or get something that eats it.
snails don't eat cyanobacteria. it's a nutrient issue. do some water changes vacuuming it out with each change.