Got a question on Substrates

[ray8fish]

I recently have a new tank that was that ha been up since september. I have some finsh in the tank and some live sand. The problem I have is that the sand constanly turns a grayish to black color after a week. I normally try to change water about twice a month but the algae buuild up is fast. Is there anything I can put in to slow this algae growth? Purple come in fine. Please let me know.

The tank specks are as follows.

120 tank
skimmer
live rock
and fish : tang, clownfish and damesels.

 

[purplegorilla]

Sounds like silica to me.

1. If you aren't getting RO/DI water then you should looking into investing for one. If you already have one, should change the DI.
2. Phosphate remover like 2 little fishies Phosphate Reactor
3. Sand shifter (starfish, goby).

 

[jade76]

how deep is your sandbed?

 

[ralph atl]

need more info please!
sump?
all fish?
how much & what are you feeding?
what skimmer?
trates?
fuge?
lights?
flow?
phosphate removal, i.e., GFO?
additives? all of them please......

Thanks!

 

[ray8fish]

I have a sump with 4 fish 2 clowns 1 tang a damsel. the sand bed is maybe a inch. I have a corallife skimmer . Compact lights 4 bulbs I have 1 pump with 2 returns . Do not have a phosphate removal. Not sure what else to say.....

 

[ray8fish]

The only thing I add is Zoe and ph buffer and Prime for my water