The Puffer Forum

How to keep the sand clean from this certain algae? Ive never really had sand so im not sure how to keep a proper biology. Seems its attacking everything... Suggestions would be greatly appreciated

you might get away with putting in a couple of biggish zebra nerite snails , they'll eat that algae up in no time , then again your lovely little new fahaka might decide to have a snack ! , i expect if you get some good size ones he won't be able to get at 'em , well untill he gets bigger ! lol
Also put something like seachems phosguard into your filter , that;ll help get it under control a bit . Apart from that regular maintenance to keep on top of it . Oh and add some more plants , they;ll out compete the algae by consuming some the waste . ...

Looks like diatoms to me. They will go away over time, my tank was covered for probably a month and I mean everything. Subsiding now though...

You have to stir that sand before every water change. ALL of it!

Diatoms depend on the concentration of soluble silicates in your water supply. If they are low to moderate, heavy diatom growth will likely be transient (a new tank phenomenon).

If your soluble silicates are high, you will have dfiatoms forever unless you preteat the water and restore the phosphates to the need level for any and all planted tanks. Phosguard does a great job, but cannot be used with live plants - it will kill them.

HTH

phosguard should really only be used for 2 to 3 weeks or until your phoshate and silicate levels are under control..