What's wrong with my sand?!?

[marine novice]

this stuff just started a few days ago!!! What is it.


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[CCXGT]

How old is the tank?

Water params?

Chances are, if it's a new setup, you just have the run-of-the-mill Diatom Bloom.

A brown dusting within your tank.

It's an algae that feeds on silicates in the water column, these silicates came from within the sandbed.

When those silicates are all used up, it'll leave just as quickly as it came.

Don't worry.


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[marine novice]

Everything has checked out as far as PH and all but it looks like there is really tiny bugs living in it.


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[marine novice]

Tank is maybe a month and a half old


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[CCXGT]

Month and a half is exactly the same time I had my Diatom Bloom.

Those lil bugs.. Are they a clear/white colour? How big are they?

Your sandbed is home to a LOT of life.

I think you're seeing Copepods or Amphipods, basically a free food source for almost anything you throw in the tank.

They're also the main food source for many sand-sifting creatures.

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[marine novice]

Yeah they are clearish white in color and you have to have your nose pretty much on the tank to try and see them


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[marine novice]

Will this clear up on its on?


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[CCXGT]

Will this clear up on its on?


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Absolutely, it usually takes around 2 weeks once it's fully taken over.

A lot of people turn down lights or feed less during this period. This has little to no effect.

Just do what you normally do and it'll just vanish.


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[BigRedsReefs10]

Looks more like cyano to me


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