Stopping algae growth on white sand?

[nicksteele7]

What's the best way to preemptively stop algae growth on white sand? I'll be using bright light. Plecos? UV? 6 hours of light a day? Thanks - Nick

 

[skjl47]

What's the best way to preemptively stop algae growth on white sand? I'll be using bright light. Plecos? UV? 6 hours of light a day? Thanks - Nick

Hello; reduce light period is my #1 suggestion. Six hours may do it. If not even shorter.

I do not think plecos will help at all.

No idea at all as to how UV will help.

Since algae and other plants use nitrates a heavy WC schedule may help by keeping the nitrates down.

Reduce feeding of the fish a lot.

Make an algae scrubber.

Not sure if this helps with algae but adding good bacteria and enzymes ( such as in RID-X) may be worth a check. Several threads on this in this forum. I have tried it a little. Dod a search for RID-X or for maybe probiotics.

 

[monkeybike]

It can turn into a plague, but Malaysian snails keep sand turned over pretty well

 

[BugFreak72]

My crawfish seem to do a pretty good job on my white crushed shells. Careful if you have fish that like to sit near the bottom though. They will grab them at times.

 

[tlindsey]

What S skjl47 and monkeybike suggested. I would add sand sifting species of fish or burrowing species.

 

[dalto]

• Keep nitrates low
• Don't use full spectrum lights
• Limit the period lights are on
• Don't put the tank near a window
• Minimize the amount of silicates in your tank
• Keep Geophagus

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

If you're not keeping live plants then I recommend leaving the lights off completely, unless you are feeding or observing the tank. I do this with my 220 and it has no algae at all.