sandsifting fish

[paulhoff]

hi my tank is still relatively new 10 weeks old just the sand has been geting a green coating really quickly, i stir it up so it looks good again but two days later and its re-appearing already. my water levels seem ok maybe nitrate a bit high at 15? would a blue cheek goby be the best thing to keep it all nicely stirred up? and would that be ok with the silk shot goby i have already? also any ideas why this is happening so fast. have t5 lights on for 8 hours, thanks

[Sploke]

It might just be diatoms, which will go away on their own as your tank matures. What size is the tank?

[paulhoff]

60g with about 90lb of live rock if it makes a difference? i was running carbon in the filter as thats what the shop gave with it that is now removed as its meant to be replaced 4-6 weeks right, could putting some in again help?

[cguarino30]

carbon won't change anything. Gobies are good for sifting the sand, but you may want to just let it go for a week or two and see what happens. It may go away on its own.

[cam191919]

it will go away as the tank matures

[paulhoff]

just thought i would add to this. i go a chalk gobie as there was no blue cheek to be found in my area, he is awesome loves building little sand mounds and stirs the sand up constantly so no more green, YAY!!!

[Ace25]

Cool! Never seen that goby, or even heard of it. Looks just like a diamond goby (famous sand sifter) without the markings.

[Blown 346]

Sounds like the normal stages of a new tank. Like otheres said it will go away on its own. Otherwsie if you do get a sandsifter goby, make sure your rock work is very stable as they like to burrow under them.