Clean Or Replace

[mister-t]

im having a bit of trouble with green algae on my sand substrate,at the moment im gravel vacking up the sand with algae on it,giving it a good wash with boiling water,then replaceing the sand.i dont want to remove all the sand from the tank,as my plants are growing very well,or should i remove the sand with algae on and replace with new sand.as always any help much appreciated
mister-t

 

[aaronnorth]

couldn't you upturn the sand because algae can't live without light can it?

 

[Splatter]

I had the same problem when my tank was about ~2 months old. I would suggest keeping the sand as it'll contain benefical bacteria (at least as far as I'm aware) and I would also advise to stop pouring boiling water in it, this will kill any beneficial bacteria on it (if I'm correct in thinking it does contain B.bacteria and only add to the problem)

When I had my algae problem the stuff almost acted like a carpet for my sand, so it was quite easy just to pull at it and remove an inch or two. If you can do that I think it's worth a try - it worked for me! Once I'd pulled it out I left it to try and scraped the sand back into the aquarium.

Also, as a general tip which I've seen floating around - buy some fast growing plants! Personally on the plant getting some moss balls (marimo balls?) from ebay - they use the same nutrients as the algae and out compete it

 

[ICEEGRL]

Putting the old sand back after a really good cleaning is the same as adding new I think. I wouldn't bother spending my money on new. You need to figure out what is causing the algae so maybe you can get it stopped. You don't want to have to keep cleaning the sand and all like that. That is too much work.

 

[jwddboy]

I had the same problem when my tank was about ~2 months old. I would suggest keeping the sand as it'll contain benefical bacteria (at least as far as I'm aware) and I would also advise to stop pouring boiling water in it, this will kill any beneficial bacteria on it (if I'm correct in thinking it does contain B.bacteria and only add to the problem)

Bacteria is much more in filter than in substrate.

Using other plants, cutting off light totally (with a blanket over the top) and not feeding for a while, reducing lighting hours, or constant cleaning and water changes should do the trick

 

[mister-t]

ok thanks for all the advice,my tank is cleaned on a regular basis,50% a week water change,my lighting is only on for 8 hours,im also getting bba noticed that today,my other tank,no plants basic gravel substrate,no co2,been set up 3 years,minimum maintanence no algae,so if plants are supposed to compete with the algae,why is it only happening to my planted tank.i just dont understand what im doing wrong,feel like ripping it all out ang getting rid of the tank.no matter what i do it just keeps happening,ive tried gravel,eco complete,and now sand,brought pressurised c02,changed lights,brought
an external filter,root tabs,liquid ferts,just so as i can have a nice looking tank,but i just keep failing,and all this as you all know is expensive.
mister-t