How soon before film algae goes away?

[JT101]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a higher-end skimmer than my "starter/noob" Coralife Super Skimmer 65g. I think that more efficient skimming will drive my nutrients down more and eliminate the slight amount of film algae I have on some of my LR and the back glass.

For anyone who has upgraded from a POS skimmer to a pretty decent one, have you seen a very rapid improvement in your tank's overall appearance, or did it take weeks/months for any noticeable improvement? One thing I have NEVER been able to eliminate is a VERY light amount of brown algae growing here & there on the sand bed. It disappears overnight, and when you first turn on the lights the sand is pure white, but after about 6 hours it grows back and only covers little patches here and there. It doesn't seem to have any structure - you can't actually pick it up, if you blow on it with a turkey baster it disappears.

 

[CoralMeister]

Increasing flow is the solution. Brown algae film is diatom algae. How old is the tank? If it is under 6 months old, this is perfectly normal.

 

[Arati]

its the 80/20 principal.

on the sro I just insalled it said upto 3 months to properly break in the skimmer. although it started skimming better then the old ccss the first week.

is the water level in your sumps skimmer section at a constant level?

 

[JT101]

Increasing flow is the solution. Brown algae film is diatom algae. How old is the tank? If it is under 6 months old, this is perfectly normal.

The tank was set up in March 2011 and was established in May 2011. I started stocking it late May 2011.

Not to argue with you, but some of the areas I get the brown stuff is in areas of rather high flow. Some areas have very little flow and has almost no brown algae. There does not seem to be any consistency.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Well, an upgrade in skimmer is not a bad idea. I had a Bermuda Aquatics on my old 65G. I loved it.

I had changed from an Aqua-Medic Turboflotor 1000 and definately noticed some difference in tank health. I liked the turboflotor too but LOVED the Bermuda.

 

[JT101]

its the 80/20 principal.

on the sro I just insalled it said upto 3 months to properly break in the skimmer. although it started skimming better then the old ccss the first week.

is the water level in your sumps skimmer section at a constant level?

Yes, very consistent. It varies less than +/- 1/4".

 

[Mike389]

install some sort of refugium for nutrient export

 

[piranhapat]

Like stated by someone its a diatom. Its something to do with bacteria in your tank and sand bed. As tank matures you should see it go away on its own. But if you keep adding more fish or live LR. It can off set and needs of to much or to litte bacteria in the tank. We just don't know how to test for everything that we still don't understand that goes on when we set up a tank. I like to do weekly water changes to balance things that we don't know yet. We know how to test for alot of things. But do we really understand everything.....

 

[CoralMeister]

like stated by someone its a diatom. Its something to do with bacteria in your tank and sand bed. As tank matures you should see it go away on its own. But if you keep adding more fish or live lr. It can off set and needs of to much or to litte bacteria in the tank. We just don't know how to test for everything that we still don't understand that goes on when we set up a tank. I like to do weekly water changes to balance things that we don't know yet. We know how to test for alot of things. But do we really understand everything.....

+1

 

[JT101]

install some sort of refugium for nutrient export

The middle compartment of my sump has caulerpa and chaeto along with about 3" of sand.

 

[JT101]

Like stated by someone its a diatom. Its something to do with bacteria in your tank and sand bed. As tank matures you should see it go away on its own. But if you keep adding more fish or live LR. It can off set and needs of to much or to litte bacteria in the tank. We just don't know how to test for everything that we still don't understand that goes on when we set up a tank. I like to do weekly water changes to balance things that we don't know yet. We know how to test for alot of things. But do we really understand everything.....

I always thought diatoms were common in new tanks? This tank is about 11 months old now...

 

[piranhapat]

Diatom can happen in new an old tanks. lf you didn't change or add something new to the tank. Did you change anything with lights or when was the last time you change your bulbs. If you did nothing of above you might try adding some kind of bacteria booster to your tank. Special blend or Bio-Spira or bacteria in a bottle can help get rid of diatom. Like stated before we don't know how and what to test about Bacteria. By adding Bacteria it can fight other bacteria causing to get rid of diatom......

 

[guri]

usually when there is any kind of algae grow you have to export nutrient that feed algae on
best solution for me is to add good canister filter with a lot of media (sponges)and introduce cultured bacteria in the water it will take around 2 or 3 weeks to see improvement but if you leave like that you have 50/50 from crash try not to add any living stuff before tank balances itself if you dont add media (like canister filter) adding Bio-Spira alone is a good idea it will do its job but if after that you notice algae grow it means you tank biological filtration system is not enough and needs improvement but just to know small amount of algae we have every time in established old tanks it comes and goes but we do water changes frequently to get rid of it