sand growing algae

[kuzco77]

My sand in my troph tank is growing green algae.  I tried vacing it up but thats not working.  Is this something to be concerned about and what can I do about it?

[Regalblue]

Are you stirring your sand?  If not I'd recommend stirring it, but get the algae in check first.

Algae problems are usually caused by overfeeding & too much light.

[Ron]

x2 on stirring up the sand to combat algae.

[GrizzlysDad]

Be aware that if it is blue-green algae, then it is actually a bacteria and needs to be treated very differently.

[Regalblue]

Be aware that if it is blue-green algae, then it is actually a bacteria and needs to be treated very differently.

good point,  Tony.  Maybe it's spirulina & he can harvest it for a food source?

[Bremmon]

If its on the sand its blue-green algae (Bacteria)... needs to be treated or it will kill your fish.

[Regalblue]

If its on the sand its blue-green algae (Bacteria)... needs to be treated or it will kill your fish.

Not all cyanobacteria is bad.  Tons of fish & people ingest spirulina daily.

[kuzco77]

Well im feeding the trophs kens spirulina fish food,  could that have something to do with it?  As for light,  I have a double bulb fixture sitting on the top that is on for 8 hours a day.

[eitakppurk]

I had an issue with blue green algae (grows like a slimy green mat over everything), but it was easy to get rid of - if this is what you have and you want to get rid of it, just vacuum it out and leave the light off for a week. After it's gone, reduce the time it's on per day. Mine is in my office at home so i turn it off while I'm not home, then i can enjoy it when i get home and work late into the night

[kuzco77]

Pic of sand

[Bremmon]

If its on the sand its blue-green algae (Bacteria)... needs to be treated or it will kill your fish.

Not all cyanobacteria is bad.  Tons of fish & people ingest spirulina daily.

Not entirely true... Look up the side effects for human consumption of Spirulina.

[GrizzlysDad]

If its on the sand its blue-green algae (Bacteria)... needs to be treated or it will kill your fish.

Not all cyanobacteria is bad.  Tons of fish & people ingest spirulina daily.

Not entirely true... Look up the side effects for human consumption of Spirulina.

x2.   Ingesting too much spirulina can be deadly IIRC, even to fish.
I have some 100% pure spirulina that I use when making my own fish food, but I don't feed it directly.

[eitakppurk]

Pic of sand

Yeah judging by that picture it's the green slime, I'd try and manage it or else it can spread really fast.

[GrizzlysDad]

Pic of sand

Yeah judging by that picture it's the green slime, I'd try and manage it or else it can spread really fast.

x2
You're lucky to have caught it this early. It can get out of control in a hurry. There are several contributing factors and remedies.
Google "bacterial blue-green algae" and you will find a lot of this info.