Sand Going Red

[sparkycoms]

Hi can any one help on this, as i am new to the marine side.. ive a 65 gal tank with live rock and sand, with two 21w t5 lamps a skimer and 2 pumps to move the water around with also a few fish and corals.
my problem is the sand is turning a red at the front of the tank but under the live rock its fine is it a lighting problem or something else. reply to this would be greatfull.

 

[rabbut]

Sounds like Cynobacteria. Despite the awful name, it's usualy harmless. What are your stats for Ammonia and Phosphate? Do you run a Skimmer? How much flow do you have? How old is the tank? How long do you have the lights on for?

Sorry for all the questions, but those answers will best let us advise you in sorting the unsightly stuff

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Straydum]

i'd say cyano as well, something which i've at the moment too

basically there's excess nutrients in your tank

 

[rabbut]

^^ Erm, no Straydom, if it were that simle you'd never come across it running the ULNS (Ultra Low Nutrient System) method, but you do...

Cyno is usualy attributed to one, or a compination of, these factors;

High NitrAte
High Phosphate
Low flow
Excess light
Under-perfoming/abscence of skimmer
Low Oxygen

While those are considered the most common triggers, that is by no means an echaustive list of those possible...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[reefplayground]

how much flow are those pumps pumping? and how are they positioned inside the system?