brown algea

[joe]

what exactly does brown algea strting to faintly tint the sand and spread on glass. indicate. especially if water conditions are pretty good.

 

[John]

The brown algea you are most likely seeing are diatoms. Diatoms are one celled organisms that are present when either first cycling a tank or in most cases when you do not use a ro/di water unit. Basicly what causes them are high ammounts of silicates in your system. A temporary fix to this would be to use a poly filter. But the more tap water introduced into the system there is a less likelyhood of the filter working properly. To fix the issue doing normal water changes with ro/do instead of tap water will decrease silicates and phosphates eliminating your diatoms. HTH

 

[joe]

i see

gotcha

thanks alot

 

[nanoreefer22]

Joe, it could just be a sign of nutrients (guess thats what John said but in a much more technical way). How often is the film building up on your front glass? How often do you clean it?

 

[joe]

its more on the sand then on the glass. there was not much in the morning. and just got back and there is a pretty dark layer spreading. but there is also a bit on the glass. how do i get rid of this. so basiclly this is a sign of what?

 

[nanoreefer22]

How old is tank? Are you still cycling? Thats when i notice the brown algae on my sand, when the tank was cycling or i moved tanks.

 

[joe]

cylce is done with its about 2 months

 

[romain]

I agree with kris, it could be because of too much nutrients in your tank. Do you have a refugium?

 

[joe]

well ive been trying to find some macro but no one seems to have.

so lets say i have some phosphates and silicates . how do i get rid of them

 

[romain]

If you run a canister filter, you may use phosban to remove phosphate.

 

[nanoreefer22]

romain's idea is good.

Do you have a refugium? How bigs your tank you might be able to use a Hang on Back. I'd give you some chaeto if you want to come and get it.
-Kris

 

[GQ22]

diatoms

I wouldnt be too concerned for now. when my tank first started out and i didnt even have anything in there except for the rock and two clowns i had bad diatomss as well even though my readings where zero. just get a cleaning crew and they will clean it up nicely. i watched as my snails ate trails of this stuff all through the tank. also get a skimmer if you dont have one already.

 

[joe]

rite i see well i have
2 twenty gallon high's connected by one 48 inch light strip

i have two aquaclears on each for surface tension as well as using the small one for media and the large one has the heater and little clip non lights which have some rubble live rock but no macro cause i can find any . no one hear seams to be able to spare it and when they can spare it , i have no way of getting to where they r locared. and fish stores dont have any yet to harvest. hopfully NWA will harvest there caulepera and ill get some.

ok so ill put macro in the fuge
i have a water purifier in the mail (ordered a while ago so it shoulld be here soon)
should i really get phosban or zeolites or othere media or resins of the such.
im gonna get some more inverts for the cleaning crew.
but that wont get rid rid of the problem will it? theyll just clean it up i dont think that will prevent it though.

tell me what yall think

thanks
joe

 

[joe]

by the way ive taken the advice of many nano reefers and im going skimmerless.
i dont mind doing weekly changes(infact i like to do it)
ya think i should really get a skimmer.???
tomoorw hopefully ill get some Conch's

 

[rickytsui]

well skimmer well be alot better for u

 

[nanoreefer22]

It depends on how large your water changes are. A skimmer can only help

 

[nanoreefer22]

BTW I've got some macro to get you started if you want it.

 

[joe]

thanks alot i apreciatte it but i just have no way of getting to BK. as school is starting tomoorow and back to work i go.

thanks
alotn though
apreciate it
hopfully another time

 

[christobree]

I Have Some Macro For You. I'll Give It To You When You're Ready For Your Other Stuff.

 

[jawwad2004]

I'm in the city all the time (work,school) Where are you located, I can bring some to the city and give it to you. I have chaeto and grape caulerpa.