yellowish brown crap, help!!

[HARPO]

We have been battling some kind of algae, of wich were not sure what it is or the cause.

It is a prolific grower. The algae covers the sand the same way cyano does, but the color is very diffirent. Looking at it, it is covered with small air bubbles. At this time it is starting to grow on rocks and our clam. I have done a few water changes, and then one large one 3 days ago in which I also syphoned all of it off the sand. I then added about a 1/2" to 3/4" layer of new sand to the top. The algae grew back almost over night. Anybody have an idea of what we are dealing with, and how to get ridd of it? One other note, I tried an addative that destroys cyno, but had no effect at all. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks BILL

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

Hate to say it but...it's probably dinoflaggelets(sp?). I think they're kind of a tuff fight. Do a search and you should find lots of info.

Good Luck!
Dennis

 

[RicardoMiozzo]

This is Cyanobacteria, even being different of what you're used to see.
It takes time and a lot of work to get rid of it.
Be sure that the water you're using is free of pollutants. If you test the water and it shows no detectable PO4, but the algae still persists, the best way is to have R.O. water. Prefiltering the water that goes through the RO makes the membrane to work much more.
Dosing kalkwasser is always advisable, because it helps in the PO4 exportation.
The use of an apropriate skimmer is essential.
If the tank is new, say, less than 90 days, this is a common thing, and I wouldn't have a clam in such a tank. Probably it will suffer a lot because of the cyano being present.
It takes time, anyway, and perseverance.
Find out where does the pollutant comes from.
Don't get paranoid, but suspect everything.

 

[wade1]

I'm guessing its dino's as well... I have some in my tank, but they are held in check by heavy skimming and good water flow. Watch what and how much you are feeding, keep up on water changes, and filter/skim well.

Other than that, use highest quality water you can get, good salt, frequent changes.... and give it time. Its not unhealthy unless it accumulates.

Wade

 

[ReefLion]

Maybe I'm nuts, but that looks like plain old diatoms to me. The techniques described above for dinos/cyano apply equally to diatoms.

Tim

 

[HARPO]

The tank is 2 years running, and has been doing awesome till now. I did another large water change last night(about 35 gal) syphoned all I could out, and again today it is back :x The water we use comes from SCRIPPS in LA JOLLA Ca.

This water has always been pure and clean, not to mention free. It is the same water they use in all the institutes systems. Does anyone have a link for info on DINOS ? If so I would appreciate it if they could forward it. Will be doing another change tonight. Thanks again. Bill

 

[Reefatarian]

http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/paly ... lates.html


http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/d ... llata.html

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/cyanointro.html

 

[HARPO]

Thank you. WOW, that is some serious reading, my wife loves this stuff. Have to have her read it when she gets home. Thanks again.