Sand turning blue/green

[Oli]

Hi guys,

I’ve noticed over the last few weeks the sand in one corner of my tank has started to turn a very bright blue/green colour. It is only in this one specific corner and nowhere else in the tank so I’m wandering what could have caused it. Maybe excessive root tabs?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Colin_T]

blue green algae (Cyanobacter bacteria)

 

[Oli]

Is there a reason it would be isolated to one corner and how would I go about treating it?

 

[Colin_T]

It sometimes appears in new tanks due to an imbalance in the microscopic organisms in the tank. The Cyanobacteria (bga/ blue green algae) grow faster and can inhibit other things growing.

Reduce the amount of dry food going into the tank.

Increase water movement/ aeration, especially around the bottom and where the bga is growing.

Do a big water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a couple of weeks to try and physically remove it. After a while the tank should settle down and it will disappear.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I agree with @Colin_T but since it appears to be a fine sand substrate I might have a go at removing the affected sand. This does not address the root cause, but does 'surgically' remove offending material. In time, with proper care, a balance should be achieved that prohibits blue/green 'algae'.