Will removing sand bed reduce algae growth?

[edmund36]

I have been having problems with algae formations in two tanks, one 125 gallons, and one 60 gallons in size. I have green hairy algae in the 125 gallon and red, probably diatom, in the 60 gallon tank.

I have tried extensive RODI water changes, phosphate media bags, re-cleaning sand bottom, with no long term luck. The growth will just continue within two weeks after a thorough cleaning.

Someone told me from the LFS that if I remove my sand bed, in total, it will prevent the phosphates, silicates, other impurities from building up in the tanks. He claims this is the better way to keep up a salt water tank, that is, no sand bed.

Just wanted to get thoughts from others on this. As I never heard this concept, and don’t want to try it before I’m sure it is the right thing to do.

Thanks in advance.

Ed

[lcstorc]

The only way I can think of that it would be beneficial would be because you are removing all of the detrius trapped in the sand bed. Some people like running a bare bottom tank for just that reason. You can see anything that drops to the floor so you are much more likely to get rid of it.
Most likely your problems are caused by overfeeding. Have you tested your water for nitrates and phosphates? It may not matter because the algae is using up the excess nutrients.
Try feeding less.
Rinsing all food in RO/DI water before feeding. (Most use phosphates as a preservative.)
More water changes to get things in check.
If you can leave the tanks in total darkness for a couple of days. Not just lights off, but actually cover the tank so no light gets in. That will give it a real kick.
If you have a skimmer start skimming more wet so you are pulling out more excess organics.
If the problem is not overfeeding then I would look at the source water. Test it for nitrates and phosphates. Test the TDS on the water prior to using .
If you are using bad water for your water changes then water changes won't help.
Hope that gives you some ideas.

[prow]

Originally Posted by edmund36

He claims this is the better way to keep up a salt water tank, that is, no sand bed.

thats up for debate. every study i have read suggest otherwise though.

mmmm i can not answer your questions without getting your tanks details. so;
how deep is your sandbed?
what grain size is it?
what type, aragonite/silica based ect...brand name if poss.
fish load in each tank?
lbs of LR/gal?
skimmer used ect....
tank parameters of course

i think your LFS guy is going way out on a limb suggesting your algae will go away by just removing the sand. in fact i would say he has no idea could be just simply overfeeding or overstocked or maybe a good skimmer is all that is needed, any number of things. before you go off and tear up your tank lets find out where the source of the issue is.

[BigAl07]

What type of lights are you running?

How old are the bulbs?

What is the tank temps? (Higher temps promote algae growth)

Are the tanks getting "Natural" sunlight? (Window or door allowing light from the sun, direct or indirect)

I would not think that simply removing the sandbed would be a "Quick fix" for anything other than getting rid of sand and the fauna that inhabit it. Sounds like a band-aide for a problem not a solution. Just keep in mind that the algae didn't happen over night and it will take longer to get rid of. It's you against the algae and it's a long slow deliberate process. Also note that an "Aglae Outbreak" is fairly normal for many tanks. With the proper care and attention it will level off and the tank will "Stablize" with a mere "Normal" amount of algae.

Also what type and amount of Clean Up Crew do you have?

[framerguy]

Prow has a point... How deep is the sand bed? There is a "no mans land" of 2 to 4 inches that can be a problem. Over 4" and you get DSB nitrate reduction benefits, and under 2" you don't get the build up problems.

[sasquatch]

how old is the bed? is the algae growing on the sand? what is your lighting type and bulb choice? photo period

[rmlevasseur]

I am considering removing the sand in my fuge, but not my main. I think my fuge has become a detritus trap that I'd like to eliminate. I occasionally get some algae growth on the sand in the fuge that I'd also like to eliminate.