offminded

ok...this just keeps getting worse...i now have brown spots all over my sand and on my live rock...all of my levels are at 0...any ideas? i have heard to let it run its course and that it is not harmful...others say to get a cleaner crew...any ideas??

offminded

here are the pictures of the sand...it is also on the live rock...what am i supposed to do?? ugh!!!!!

Attached Images

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	DSC04822.JPG (136.4 KB, 35 views)

Mike

Hmm, not sure what the black spots are (dead or decaying matter?) but the browns look like diatoms. I'd try a partial water change using a gravel vac on the top layers to remove the black stuff. Depending on the shape the live rock is in and the make up water for water changes (RO or tap water), you should see a cycle of the browns to greens to purple calcerous coralline algae. You may also see the diatoms after heavy feedings and sometimes water changes if you're not using purified water such as reverse osmosis or RO/DI filtered water.

offminded

the black stuff is actually from the live sand...its indio pacific...and came with the live sand...i'll do a water change tomorrow...i buy all of my water from my LFS so i know the salt water and pure water are top notch...