jeffrey
Member
For the last four months I've struggled with diatom and brown string algae. I've read countless books and articles on many forums about algae problems and have tried everything suggested to clear the water. I've added one snail per gallon of water, I do 10% water changes every week, changed out the 10 T5 bulbs, added a phosphate reactor, purchased a 5 stage RO/DI system, added a sand sifting star fish and two emerald crabs but none of this would slow down the diatom / brown algae from growing. I test my water constantly and have had LFS's test my water to try to figure out what I was doing wrong, they would always say that everything looks good. Maybe your running your lights too long or maybe your over feeding your fish, lights always run for eight hours and I spot feed the fish with the power heads turned off.
In the beginning I was told that when using a certain salt I would only have to check and dose for calcium and alkalinity between water changes because the salt had the proper amount of magnesium in it. Those of us new to the hobby seek the advice of the experienced and believe what we are told is the truth.
Here is the truth, no salt mix is going to maintain your magnesium level, without the proper magnesium level your calcium and alkalinity will constantly have to be dosed. A guy over at Reef Tank Forum explained it perfectly, "Magnesium is the key to keeping the other levels correct, you can't just maintain the two. Here's a simple visual, if you think of Calcium and Alkalinity as each being on ends of a seesaw then magnesium would be the balance point in the center. Without magnesium being correct, you will have trouble getting the other levels where they need to be."
After getting my magnesium in line the calcium and alkalinity are both holding strong and within 4 days the diatom / brown algae has vanished. I've learned a great deal and have also spent a great deal on products and books that more than likely weren't needed. Good to have but the wife isn't smiling anymore if you know what I mean.
I hope this little post helps all of you who have struggled with algae problems as I have. Removing the phosphates alone is not the key when your magnesium is out of whack !
Happy Reefing !
In the beginning I was told that when using a certain salt I would only have to check and dose for calcium and alkalinity between water changes because the salt had the proper amount of magnesium in it. Those of us new to the hobby seek the advice of the experienced and believe what we are told is the truth.
Here is the truth, no salt mix is going to maintain your magnesium level, without the proper magnesium level your calcium and alkalinity will constantly have to be dosed. A guy over at Reef Tank Forum explained it perfectly, "Magnesium is the key to keeping the other levels correct, you can't just maintain the two. Here's a simple visual, if you think of Calcium and Alkalinity as each being on ends of a seesaw then magnesium would be the balance point in the center. Without magnesium being correct, you will have trouble getting the other levels where they need to be."
After getting my magnesium in line the calcium and alkalinity are both holding strong and within 4 days the diatom / brown algae has vanished. I've learned a great deal and have also spent a great deal on products and books that more than likely weren't needed. Good to have but the wife isn't smiling anymore if you know what I mean.
I hope this little post helps all of you who have struggled with algae problems as I have. Removing the phosphates alone is not the key when your magnesium is out of whack !
Happy Reefing !
