Skipping brown algae stage new tank

[blackcloudmedia]

I employed a new method (to me at least) when I set up my new tank last month. I was always bothered by the buildup of brown diatoms that took place because this organic matter had to go away some how and that means bioload. So what I did was place my live rock int eh sump and display and Caulerpa racemosa in the sump and only ran those lights for the first week.There was no illumination on the display for that week. And the Caulerpa doubled in size over that week. I then turned on the halides and began adding my soft corals (They had been in another tank over this time and needed to get back under strong lighting) The softies, acclimated properly, immediately took on a healthy look. The next day all was in order so I created my central Montipora digitata display and added the acros to the higher rocks.

It has been three to four weeks now and there hasnt been any brown algae outbreaks. I also have not added any fish to the system as I want a virtually inexistent biolode, and not really to my surprise there are pods on almost every inch of rock and glass. Ive been able to ID most of them now.

 

[Anonymous]

One thing to think about, diatoms need silica present to grow. You could just have really low silica levels, Caularpa doesn't take it out.

In the ocean you will have a diatom bloom, then a zooplankton bloom. Some zooplankton can turn bio-available into not bio-available in the form of pellatized poo. Using this same idea there are filters being employed in aquaculture that rely on amphipods to do most the work of sequestering the nutrients (pellets collected and removed).

I love your illustration, no joke. While crude they get the point across as to what they are and that is what counts the most I wish others would follow suite when posting

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Thats true Gresh, Is there a way to test for silica? Too my knowledge silica is harmless. I have three Tridacna clams that would take care of ANY trace of phyto lol.