black skin like patch on substrate...

[Danno]

hi,

i have a small tank with a dwarf hermit and a damsel of some type, and just recently i have noticed a black skin type covering on my substrate, now i rang the guy at my LFS and he said oh its just algae, turn the substrate over buy hand and it will go. well he was right, but a few days later its back....it look very unsightly and i want rid basically, so what is it, whats causing it and how do i get shut......??????????

thanks

 

[Danno]

...forgot to mention, i asked at another LFS and the guy there said its were the bottom isn't getting any movment in the current, creating a still spot and thats why the algae stuff is forming - or words to that effect!!!..

 

[BigCountry]

Few questions:

What substrate are you running (sand, gravel etc)?

Live rock?

What are your basic params - PH, Ammonia and Nitrate?

How long are your lights on?

How long has the tank been set up (cycled etc)?

 

[Addikted2Cichlids]

I would increase the flow in the tank, and maybe add some PhosBan or RowaPhos to your filter. I'm guessing your phosphates are high.. If you increase the flow that may fix the problem all together..