Brown Algae

[Alexxn]

Brown algae
So my FOWLR tank is starting to show spots of algae on the glass and my powerheads and also a brown film on the sand...

Water Parameters are as follows:

temp - 80 deg F
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrates - 1 ppm
PH - 8.2
phosphates - 0.01-0.02 ppm

The tank is roughly 3 weeks old and was started with 35 lbs of fully cured Live Rock and an inch bed of Live Sand.

Lighting is a 10K 96W daylight bulb and 50/50 actinic on for roughly 12 hrs during the day.

No fish yet, some mushrooms, a green star polyp, and some pink and brown zoos.

Is it time for a cleanup crew ? What would you suggest ? I'd like to get a handle on this before the algae goes haywire...

Thanks !!

 

[steveo32]

I believe its part of an algea cycle.

 

[duke62]

what type of filtration u using .and what type of skimmer

 

[Alexxn]

what type of filtration u using .and what type of skimmer

Using the 35 lbs of Live Rock and an AquaClear HOB (carbon only) for filtration and a Aqua C remora for a skimmer...

I'm going away for 5 days (I have someone doing freshwater top offs for me) so should I throw a couple of snails in there to keep things from becoming a mess while I am gone ?

 

[House of Laughter]

Whats the tank size and why is the heat so high? I'd drop it down to 77 or 78

House

 

[Alexxn]

30 gal tank.....do you think removing the glass lid would keep the temp down ?

 

[House of Laughter]

Yes and help with your evaporation and PH etc. But if you have fish that jump, I'd come up with another cover that's open like light diffuser (AKA Aggcrate).

Hope that helps,

House

 

[Alexxn]

Thanks ! My salinity is usually 1.026...is that a little high ?What should I try and keep it at ?

Thanks again !!

 

[Deanos]

Your salinity is fine.

 

[Alexxn]

Awesome..you guys are a great source of info ! :goldfish2

 

[Psycho graphic]

Almost all tanks experience this brown algea at about the 3-6 week mark. I would'nt worry unless it does'nt go away in a week or two. After the brown goes away you will notice some green algea and this should not get out of hand if your water quality is up to snuff.

 

[ozone]

Almost all tanks experience this brown algea at about the 3-6 week mark. I would'nt worry unless it does'nt go away in a week or two. After the brown goes away you will notice some green algea and this should not get out of hand if your water quality is up to snuff.

This is good to know, brown algae has exploded in my tank in my tank within the last few 3 days. This is a 7 week old tank and I recently started leaving the lights on 12 hours a day.