Humm... that algae looks more like diatoms to me. They are to be expected with newly set up marine aquariums. They feed mainly from silicates and usually go away within a few weeks (once their food source is depleted); unless you keep adding silicates.
Algae Control Quote:
| Diatom Algae typically is brown in appearance and usually is seen within the first 4-16 weeks following the install of an aquarium. Diatom algae have three basic needs to thrive: silicate as a food source, a low pH in a saltwater environment, and light in the yellow, orange, and red spectrum. During the first few weeks after an aquarium is set-up diatom algae growth can be very aggressive. It may cover the glass in as little as 48 hours. Diatom algae growth is normal and the direct result from the tremendous amount silica found in the synthetic salt used to make saltwater. Most synthetic sea salt manufacturers use silica, a moisture removing product, in the manufacture of synthetic salts. As the concentration of silica falls, the algae runs out of food, and slowly goes away.
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Rule of Thumb for Controlling Algae:
Increase the export of the nutrients that algae feed on and limit the import of these same nutrients…or stated differently, remove the food source and remove the problem.
Increasing the export of nutrients…- Chemical Filtration Media are specially formulated chemicals which remove both phosphate and organic waste that algae feed on. While effective, chemical filtration media alone can not remove all dissolved phosphate and organic waste.
- Protein Skimmers are very effective in removing undesirable organic compounds that algae feed on. It is amazing how much brown to black liquid can come from a crystal clear aquarium.
- Routine water change is one the most affective way to remove both phosphate and nitrate from the aquarium. The new water does not contain nitrates or phosphates, thus Premier Aquatic Services performs a 30% water change monthly on all client aquariums.
- Limiting the import of nutrients…
- Overfeeding your fish is the number one reason for imbalanced water parameters and an overabundance of nutrients that algae feed on. Did you know that a fish’s stomach is about the same size as its eye? So, if there is still uneaten food floating or sitting on the bottom of your tank 60 seconds after you feed, your display has been overfed. What happens to the excess food? It is broken down into fertilizer and harmful waste by-products.
- Overstocked aquariums occur when there are more fish present than the aquarium’s bio-load can handle. A good industry “rule of thumb”: 1 inch of fish per gallon of water in a freshwater environment and 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons of water in the saltwater environment.
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