Newbie Algy Question

[smallfish]

Hey folks im fairly new to saltwater tanks, i've been running just under a year now and my sand is started to turn brown. I thought it was over feeding but i've changed my feeding cycle to every second day, but it dosen't seem to help. My tank is 46 gal. with 20 gal. sump. 2 chromis,1 manderin,1yellow tang,2 clowns, 1 sand siffting gobbie,cleaner shrimp and lots of lps.

[4lti7ude]

Originally Posted by smallfish

Hey folks im fairly new to saltwater tanks, i've been running just under a year now and my sand is started to turn brown. I thought it was over feeding but i've changed my feeding cycle to every second day, but it dosen't seem to help. My tank is 46 gal. with 20 gal. sump. 2 chromis,1 manderin,1yellow tang,2 clowns, 1 sand siffting gobbie,cleaner shrimp and lots of lps.

Sounds to me like you need more sand sifters.
Most things that grow algae are from lack of water flow or movement.
Maybe one more sand sifting goby or something will help. (Avoid Sand Sifting sea star)

Another thing that could help is changing up your light cycle.
Before when I was running a bit to long of lights above my sand bed the sand started developing the brown algae also. A powerhead can also help with the algae problem if its directed towards the sand bed a bit.

If you dont want another goby, id highly suggest upgrading your cleaner pack if you have some extra algae.
Just slowly keep building up your cleaner crew in your tank, as the algae levels become controlled. The cleaners will also clean your rock also which is a big + compared to just the goby.

[pendergast]

I have a 24" Led, white/blue, and one floresant bulb came with the tank. the white/blue leds and floresant stays on from about 7am to 9 pm then turn them off and the blue leds stay on from9pm to 7am. I dont have the money for more lighting yet just buying things as i go. i dont have a timer yet so the lights get turned on when i get up and off when i go to bed i try and keep it around the same times though

[4lti7ude]

Originally Posted by pendergast

I have a 24" Led, white/blue, and one floresant bulb came with the tank. the white/blue leds and floresant stays on from about 7am to 9 pm then turn them off and the blue leds stay on from9pm to 7am. I dont have the money for more lighting yet just buying things as i go. i dont have a timer yet so the lights get turned on when i get up and off when i go to bed i try and keep it around the same times though

7am-9pm would be 15 hours of light.
Maybe a couple hours less of the main lights to start with the water changes.
Water changes once a week until it clears up should work well.
Remember to make sure your first initial water change you get as much of the debris as you can.

[pendergast]

just flipping the lid up overnight has actualy helped alot. didnt think it would do that much that fast. i just added new fish yesterday as well. i got rid of my blue demsel, was worried about him goin after the new fish. I got a dwarf lionfish and a lawnmower blenny Does anyone know of where you can get 36" led lighting for a reasonable price?

Thanx for all your help
tyson

[pendergast]

Sorry another question i will probley have millions as i go on. I got told to change out my filter spunges every 3rd to 4th time i clean my filter, Im worried about how often i should clean out my filter as i dont want to do it to much or to little. It is a fluval 303 canister 3 stage filter, spunge, bio, then carb. My guess was every 3 weeks never thought to ask anyone about it.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by pendergast

Sorry another question i will probley have millions as i go on. I got told to change out my filter spunges every 3rd to 4th time i clean my filter, Im worried about how often i should clean out my filter as i dont want to do it to much or to little. It is a fluval 303 canister 3 stage filter, spunge, bio, then carb. My guess was every 3 weeks never thought to ask anyone about it.

I would take out the sponge and the bio. Get some small liverock rubble and use that instead. Keep the carbon though. The sponge creates a nitrate trap.

[pendergast]

I had brown algy starting to grow on my sand i dont know thats the same thing you have going on, but when i did i just bought a bunch of reef hermits and they cleaned it up.

Originally Posted by smallfish

Hey folks im fairly new to saltwater tanks, i've been running just under a year now and my sand is started to turn brown. I thought it was over feeding but i've changed my feeding cycle to every second day, but it dosen't seem to help. My tank is 46 gal. with 20 gal. sump. 2 chromis,1 manderin,1yellow tang,2 clowns, 1 sand siffting gobbie,cleaner shrimp and lots of lps.