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Brown algae

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by fmsill, May 10, 2009.

  1. May 10, 2009 #1
    fmsill Cedar Falls

    fmsill Well-Known ReefKeeper

    445
    Cedar Falls
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    Help brown algae is takeing over my tank. Heres a brief overview of the tank. 210 with all glass mega flow sump model 4, euro reef rs 180 skimmer and will eventually be running a corallife 36 watt uv. Lights are a 72 inch corallife aqualight with 4 96 watt bulbs and two 36 inch corallife lights with 2 96 watt bulbs in each. I know the lights are kind of a weird setup but i got them cheap. I also use RO/DI water. Does anyone have any suggestions to slow this ugly brown algae down. Do i keep my lights on less which is abought 8 hours, do a water change etc. any help would be apreciated.                    
    Brian
     
  2. May 10, 2009 #2
    Jtown

    Jtown Inactive User

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    How old are the bulbs? How long has the tank been set up? If you bought those lights used the age of bulbs would be a concern and depending how long tank has been up and cycled it may be one phase of the process. Im sure alot of others could be more help but I think those two things are an important start...
     
  3. May 10, 2009 #3
    fmsill Cedar Falls

    fmsill Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    the bulbs in the 72 inch fixture are abought 6 months old and the others are 3 months old. The tank has been set up for abought 3 month but very lightly stocked 4 damsels and 4 green chromis. just added live rock abought two weeks ago
     
  4. May 10, 2009 #4
    Jtown

    Jtown Inactive User

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    Is it just like brown detrius laying in the sand and substrate or is it like hairy fuzzy algae on the rocks???
     
  5. May 10, 2009 #5
    fmsill Cedar Falls

    fmsill Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    it looks more like detirus alll over the sand and rocks.
     
  6. May 10, 2009 #6
    fmsill Cedar Falls

    fmsill Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Sorry i guess the more i look at it it does kinda look fuzzy and its on glass to.

    Brian
     
  7. May 10, 2009 #7
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

    3,963
    New London
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    Add some macro algae to your system.
     
  8. May 10, 2009 #8
    Jtown

    Jtown Inactive User

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    Macro algae would help for sure but if you dont have a Fuge set then make sure you dont have Phosphates or high nitrates. If you use an RO make sure its reading 0 on your TDS. When was last water change?
     
  9. May 10, 2009 #9
    Jtown

    Jtown Inactive User

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    Eliminate whatever is causing phosphates or nitrates cuz w/o those algae wont survive UNLESS your bulbs are bad.
     
  10. May 10, 2009 #10
    Guest

    Guest Guest

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    Time + water changes. The system is still pretty young, diatom blooms are pretty common and the one I had was light brown, and they eventually pass.
     
  11. May 10, 2009 #11
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

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    You could try a 24 hour complete blackout if you don't have anything photosynthetic in there. Just shut the lights off and cover the tank with a thick blanket. I've read that helps take care of brown algae.
     
  12. May 10, 2009 #12
    dewdad

    dewdad Inactive User

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    The live rock that you added most likely started a new cycle, do water changes and keep testing the water. lights out,cover tank can't hurt.
     
  13. May 11, 2009 #13
    Eric West Des Moines, IA

    Eric Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,170
    West Des Moines, IA
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    Posted By fmsill on 05/10/2009 05:34 PM

    it looks more like detirus alll over the sand and rocks.
    Diatoms.
    Part of "new tank syndrome" where the tank is still aging...will go away on its own.
    Some tanks have it for a few days, some for a month or more - I've really never seen a rhyme or reason to it.  Keep up with your water changes and give it time.
    Unfortunately, it isn't attractive and we all want to show our tanks off to people we know.
    -Eric
     

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