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Brown Algae

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by craftpam, Feb 4, 2010.

  1. Feb 4, 2010 #1
    craftpam

    craftpam Inactive User

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    So I was gone for 24 hours, came home and my tank now has brown algae on the rocks and sand. Should I do anything or let nature take its course? I returned 3 of the damsels so there are just 2 yellow tailed in there. They seem fine. Ammonia/Nitrite still zero, Nitrates actually look to be down from before, still somewhere between 10-20, but looks a little lighter than the last test I ran. I was going to add clown fish this weekend, should I now hold off?
    I did a 10% water change. (Tests were from prior to that)
    Thanks for any ideas, Pam
    PS
    90 Gallon
    Tidepool II
    100# Live Rock
     
  2. Feb 4, 2010 #2
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

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    Brown algae is completely normal with a new tank or a cycle. How long have you had your tank up and running? Also, don't add a clown if your tank's only been up for a couple weeks.

    -Adam
     
  3. Feb 4, 2010 #3
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

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    Forgot to add, if you want to get rid of it, shut the lights off for a couple days and put a blanket/towels over it for a couple days if you can.
     
  4. Feb 4, 2010 #4
    Matt

    Matt Inactive User

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    Yea might be your cycle, my algea was green then went to a brown when I cycled mine. Keep up on the 10% water changes, and cut the light back.
     
  5. Feb 4, 2010 #5
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

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    If you're doing a cycle and don't have any fish I would recommend closer to 50% or more for water changes for the first month or two.
     
  6. Feb 4, 2010 #6
    craftpam

    craftpam Inactive User

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    Thanks for the info. I bought the tank as an established tank, moved 60% of water and kept live rock submerged during move. Tank has been up at my house for 3 weeks, damsels have been in for 2. Have not seen any ammonia or nitrites, just the nitrates. I will cut back on the light, have been on 10 hours/day. I will hold off on getting clowns until things settle down a bit more.

    Thanks, Pam
     
  7. Feb 4, 2010 #7
    Matt

    Matt Inactive User

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    I'm guessing its going through a mini cycle. Thought is that even with the rock submerged it proablly wasn't heated same with the sand, so now its doing a mini cycle since some of the stuff died in transportation.
     

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