rhang November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 Hello All I just got my 75g fowlr tank all setup. It's been running for about two weeks. The brown algae has arrived. Can someone share some insight into how I can either eliminate or control these diatoms. System Profile Duration: Running for two weeks Substrate: 50lb live rock + 3in live sand bed Lighting: 1 54w marine glo + 1 54w power glo bulbs Water: dechlorinated tap + Instant Ocean salt Filter: Octopus 200 skimmer Live Stock: 4 chromis + 1 flaming angel (for now) A 15% water change was done a couple of days ago. I have strong indicator that the lighting is contributing to the brown algae's growth. It seems that only on top surfaces of the live rock where light hits directly do I see the brown algae. I have done some research and evidently not good enough. Short of using RO/DI and/or mangrove plants in the refugium, how can I deal with this brown algae outbreak in a cost effective way. Please help me if you can. Thanks. -Rey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 Cut down on light cycle, not sure how long your lights are on... Clean-up crew? Chemipure Elite has done me well since I also use tap water. I've seen agruments for/against using it, but if you're not using RO/DI I would use it. I just removed mine after 6 months of use to see how my tank reacts. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogurnda November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 Sounds like a diatom bloom, which normally happens just about this time in a new tank. In my experience, it will die back soon. Be prepared for some cyano and possibly green hair algae after that. Just the tank settling down. If you continue to use tap water, you will be adding nutrients, and should expect some issues, especially with cyanobacteria (aka red slime). Adding a refugium with macroalgae (probably more effective than mangroves) can help keep nutrients down somewhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 A UV Sterilizer will help keep the algae under control but cutting back on the lights is probably the quickest and cheapest solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 It could be a bacteria also. Diatoms and bacteria will wipe off with a brush very easily. Doing this and skimming them out of your system will help export the excess nutrients. Keep your feeding to a minimum will also help. Installing a filter bag will help export the excess organic matter along with running GAC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 If you are using dechlorinated tap water you could be introducing a lot of silica, which will encourage diatom growth. Also tap water can contain high levels of copper, nitrate, phosphate and other undesirable heavy metals. I would save up for a RODI system, which is worth the investment IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 Further imfromation & details can be found in these articles: Tap Water in Reef Aquaria http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm Silica in a Reef Tank http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Systems to Purify Tap Water for Reef Aquaria http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.htm The Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k November 29, 2009 Share November 29, 2009 the aforementioned articles are good reads. don't cut the lights, just put them on a timer for a reasonable amount of time. UV is good for keeping fish parasites in check but will do nothing to stop the growth of diatoms. R/O will help by eliminating excess nutrients from the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan November 30, 2009 Share November 30, 2009 Your tank is only 2 weeks new. It seems to be right on track for diatom bloom. Diatom blooms are a normal part of the cycle. They will go away by themselves. I would not have changed the water. I've waited until after the full cycle 4-8 weeks before i did water changes. After the diatoms go away the next thing you might see are loads of copepods on the glass. Hello All I just got my 75g fowlr tank all setup. It's been running for about two weeks. The brown algae has arrived. Can someone share some insight into how I can either eliminate or control these diatoms. System Profile Duration: Running for two weeks Substrate: 50lb live rock + 3in live sand bed Lighting: 1 54w marine glo + 1 54w power glo bulbs Water: dechlorinated tap + Instant Ocean salt Filter: Octopus 200 skimmer Live Stock: 4 chromis + 1 flaming angel (for now) A 15% water change was done a couple of days ago. I have strong indicator that the lighting is contributing to the brown algae's growth. It seems that only on top surfaces of the live rock where light hits directly do I see the brown algae. I have done some research and evidently not good enough. Short of using RO/DI and/or mangrove plants in the refugium, how can I deal with this brown algae outbreak in a cost effective way. Please help me if you can. Thanks. -Rey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan November 30, 2009 Share November 30, 2009 After the diatoms go away the next thing you might see are loads of copepods on the glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhang December 1, 2009 Author Share December 1, 2009 (edited) Thanks everybody! Edited December 1, 2009 by rhang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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