why is ..........?

Question

the sand in my saltwater tank have a coting of like red slime heres some pics http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/1451135376_226c713049.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1042/1451137038_3e9724a0cf.jpg?v=0

what is thie red slime is it good or bad

Answer 1

It's not good. What you have is the very beginning of red slime algae, which isn't an algae at all, but cyanobacteria.

To control this, you need to control the nutrients in your tank. This means not overfeeding and frequent (weekly) partial water changes. Some other timps would be to switch to reverse osmosis water for mixing the salt and topping off if you use tap water - tapwater can contain nitrate and phosphate which feed the cyanobacteria and algae. You can get this for about $0.33 per gallon at Super WalMart store (Culligan water). Target has it already bottled, but theirs costs about double. You can also try a phosphate-adsorbing pad that you cut to fit in your filter.

Cyano doesn't like a lot of water movement, so if you have a small powerhead or two, put these in the tank and aim them at the worst areas.

Answer 2

It's not good. What you have is the very beginning of red slime algae, which isn't an algae at all, but cyanobacteria.

To control this, you need to control the nutrients in your tank. This means not overfeeding and frequent (weekly) partial water changes. Some other timps would be to switch to reverse osmosis water for mixing the salt and topping off if you use tap water - tapwater can contain nitrate and phosphate which feed the cyanobacteria and algae. You can get this for about $0.33 per gallon at Super WalMart store (Culligan water). Target has it already bottled, but theirs costs about double. You can also try a phosphate-adsorbing pad that you cut to fit in your filter.

Cyano doesn't like a lot of water movement, so if you have a small powerhead or two, put these in the tank and aim them at the worst areas.

Answer 3

Because you need to CLEAN it!!
: )

Seriously... this is actually called RED SLIME ALGAE...
Here you go:

CAREFULLY REMOVE YOUR LIVE ROCK AND SCRUB THE ALGAE OFF WITH A TOOTH BRUSH. KEEP THE ROCK WET USING A NEW SPRAY BOTTLE FILLED WITH TANK WATER AND KEEP SCRUBBING AND SPRAYING. TRY TO GET ALL YOU CAN AND THEN BRIEFLY BUT THOROUGHLY RINSE UNDER THE FAUCET AT TANK TEMPERATURE WATER. the MORE YOU GET OFF THE BETTER. DO NOT DISTURB IT AND LEAVE IT ON THE ROCK. DO THIS WITH EACH PIECE AND PRAY FOR IT TO GO AWAY. THE CHANCES ARE SLIM WITH YOUR NITRATE LEVEL SO HIGH. REDUCE FOOD, LIFT LIGHT 6 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE TANK IF FLUORESCENT, ALGAE BLENNIES AND TANGS PREFER ALGAE AS A FOOD SOURCE, AND FINALLY GO TO ABOUT.COM, CLICK ON HOBBIES AND THEN CLICK ON SALTWATER AQUARIUMS, AND YOU WILL BE AT THE SITE WHERE YOU WILL FIND ANSWERS TO ALMOST ANY PROBLEM.

GOOD LUCK!! : )

Answer 4

to me it looks like Coraline Algae . Its the same stuff thats on your live rock in the picture. its not a bad thing most people try to get Coraline Algae to grow in there salt water tanks anyway.
But for it to grow on your sand like that it tells me your not cleaning your sand very well.

Answer 5

Yes what copperhead said it is cyanobacteria. you have an excess of phosphates so you need to be controlling the nutrients iin your tank. Folow the links he provided and they will be a great help!