Identify algae and help prevent it?

[TheMainer]

this is pool filter sand and I do use flourish and c02 in my tank for my live plants. It's a 40g breeder, I run 2 aqua clear model 70s, and has my juvenile bichir, 3 GBRs and 2 swordtails. I stir my sand every other day and I do a 50% water change weekly. I really don't want to change my substrate to gravel because my bichir loves to burrow in the sand but I hate how messy/dirty this sand looks. Help!

 

[TheMainer]

Sorry about the multiple pictures lol not sure what happened

 

[monkeybike]

Is it a fairly new tank? I used to get the same stuff during the first 6 months of my tank being set up. I also used flourish. Now that my tank has matured I don't get it any more. I just siphon cleaned it off back then. I also have a pair of hoplosternum littorale that keep the sand stirred up as well now.

 

[TheMainer]

The algae doesn't siphon off.. That's the biggest problem lol

 

[TheMainer]

It is a fairly new tank though

 

[milkman407]

diatoms, it's probably due to your aquarium being new.

 

[TheMainer]

should I change out the substrate?(like put new sand in?)

 

[Betta132]

No, that'll make it worse. The sand is where your useful bacteria like to grow.
Algae likes to show up in new tanks. It'll naturally fade away once the tank is fully established and balances itself out. Don't mess with it, just leave it be.

 

[Wailua Boy]

looks to be red algae(which is large family of algae that stain red but are usually green or black while living)

 

[rodger]

I use black diamond black sand. I have no issues with algae on sand, just plants. Only fish is s Fahaka puffer. Only ferts are pellets I inject. I only change water about once a month. Filter is an FX6 filled with poret foam. I would trade algae on sand for plants.