Brown Algae

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 06:37 PM

Okay here is my ?

I just purchased a new light (2/96 wat 1 10K HQI)

I never had a problem with algea before. The store I bought the light from said to keep adding anemone's, corals and such or I could get an algea problem.

The only thing I bought was an Condy Anemone, which I'm going to sell by the way.

Now I have lots of brown algea...a diatom bloom?

Is this from not using Ro water OR having lots of light but not enough tank creatures to absorb the light for photosynthesis or both??

I've heard just changing to Ro water can make a world of difference, which is my next step, but I didn't know if part of the problem could be not having enough mushrooms, anemone's and such to keep up with the nutrients from
the light.

Is this algea going to hurt my tank until I get RO water? All I have is some mushrooms and 2 fish.

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 06:45 PM

Two things can cause algae... nitrates or phosphates The extra light was just the trigger that caused the bloom. Your tap water can contain either or both. Its not dependent on the number of coral and anemones you have in the tank. Have you tested for them? RO water will eliminate your water as a source for both but they can enter your water column in other ways... natural byproduct of the nitorgen cycle, fish food, feeding etc....

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 06:47 PM

off to test!

cheeks69 · 12-12-2006, 06:52 PM

Your getting a bloom because of excess nutrients {nitrate/phosphate}. How often do you feed and how much ? Which skimmer are you using ? How often are you doing W/C's and how much are you changing ? How many fish do you have ? What do you dose ?

Dragon Wrasse · 12-12-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiscesGirl

off to test!

Let us know the test results when they are in......

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 07:11 PM

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 07:49 PM

p.h 7.8
alkalinity120
trite 0
trate 40

I don't have anything to test phosphates

How often do you feed and how much ? once a day...just a couple of bloodworms and shrimp to my choc. chip star.
Which skimmer are you using ? TE nautalis
How often are you doing W/C's and how much are you changing ? I did one a couple of weeks ago about 25%
How many fish do you have ? 2
What do you dose ? nothing

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 08:10 PM

Your nitrates are way high. Thats where your algae is coming from NOT because you dont have enough corals or anemones. You need to find a new LFS. Time for a water change also!!! How often do you do water changes and how much? Out of curiosity have you tested your water source for trates? Could be nitrates in your water before it even gets in your tank.
(PH is a bit on the low side also)

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 08:12 PM

I tested my tap a long time ago, but don't remember what the results were...I'll test that.

Why do I have to change my water every 2 weeks when I only have 2 fish?? Just curious. I didn't think they would produce that much of a bio-load.

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 08:14 PM

Maybe over feeding? What are the two fish and how much, how often and what are you feeding?

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 08:17 PM

i have a 3 stripe damsel and a clown (each only about an inch or so long) I have a 55 tank?

I only feed once a day in the evening. I have frozen bloodworms and thaw some out then give them only what they eat (about 4-5 worms each) Thats it other than feeding my star krill once a week.

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiscesGirl

Why do I have to change my water every 2 weeks when I only have 2 fish?? Just curious. I didn't think they would produce that much of a bio-load.

When was the last time you changed the water and how much? It doesnt sound like you are over feeding but if its been a long time between w/c's....

PiscesGirl · 12-12-2006, 08:24 PM

It's only been 2 weeks.
It must be my tap water, because I've never been able to keep the trates down.

Will RO/DI fix this problem?
After I get ro water, do I have to add anything to this or will the Instan Ocean replace all lost elements?

My tank is looking really brown. Are my fish or mushrooms in any danger? (other than the nitrate levels)

ReefGuy69 · 12-12-2006, 08:40 PM

Yes RO/DI will help make the problem go away. I would stick with a strict regimen of changing water every 2 weeks. if you add more live stock then every week would be better. I always go with the 10 percent a week is better then the 20 or more percent every so often. I would also think about switching from Instant Ocean or Marine Pro Reef. Everyone who has used it quotes on much better looking corals and livestock and consistent readings with their test results.

BrothaWolf · 12-12-2006, 08:50 PM

Like Reefguy said RO/DI water will eliminate any problems that are coming from your tap water. I also prefer weekly 10% water changes. The water changes will replace any missing elements in your tank with how you have it stocked. Your fish and shrooms are in no danger from the algae. I would be more worried about the trates. You could use Catalina premixed water if youre lazy like me. ou could do one box a week. One box is 5 gallons. Its all I use and am having great results

12-12-2006, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Brown Algae Okay here is my ? I just purchased a new light (2/96 wat 1 10K HQI) I never had a problem with algea before. The store I bought the light from said to keep adding anemone's, corals and such or I could get an algea problem. The only thing I bought was an Condy Anemone, which I'm going to sell by the way. Now I have lots of brown algea...a diatom bloom? Is this from not using Ro water OR having lots of light but not enough tank creatures to absorb the light for photosynthesis or both?? I've heard just changing to Ro water can make a world of difference, which is my next step, but I didn't know if part of the problem could be not having enough mushrooms, anemone's and such to keep up with the nutrients from the light. Is this algea going to hurt my tank until I get RO water? All I have is some mushrooms and 2 fish.

12-12-2006, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae Two things can cause algae... nitrates or phosphates The extra light was just the trigger that caused the bloom. Your tap water can contain either or both. Its not dependent on the number of coral and anemones you have in the tank. Have you tested for them? RO water will eliminate your water as a source for both but they can enter your water column in other ways... natural byproduct of the nitorgen cycle, fish food, feeding etc.... __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

12-12-2006, 06:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae off to test!

12-12-2006, 06:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 6,855 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae Your getting a bloom because of excess nutrients {nitrate/phosphate}. How often do you feed and how much ? Which skimmer are you using ? How often are you doing W/C's and how much are you changing ? How many fish do you have ? What do you dose ? __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

12-12-2006, 07:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

12-12-2006, 07:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae p.h 7.8 alkalinity120 trite 0 trate 40 I don't have anything to test phosphates How often do you feed and how much ? once a day...just a couple of bloodworms and shrimp to my choc. chip star. Which skimmer are you using ? TE nautalis How often are you doing W/C's and how much are you changing ? I did one a couple of weeks ago about 25% How many fish do you have ? 2 What do you dose ? nothing

12-12-2006, 08:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae Your nitrates are way high. Thats where your algae is coming from NOT because you dont have enough corals or anemones. You need to find a new LFS. Time for a water change also!!! How often do you do water changes and how much? Out of curiosity have you tested your water source for trates? Could be nitrates in your water before it even gets in your tank. (PH is a bit on the low side also) __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

12-12-2006, 08:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae I tested my tap a long time ago, but don't remember what the results were...I'll test that. Why do I have to change my water every 2 weeks when I only have 2 fish?? Just curious. I didn't think they would produce that much of a bio-load.

12-12-2006, 08:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae Maybe over feeding? What are the two fish and how much, how often and what are you feeding? __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

12-12-2006, 08:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae i have a 3 stripe damsel and a clown (each only about an inch or so long) I have a 55 tank? I only feed once a day in the evening. I have frozen bloodworms and thaw some out then give them only what they eat (about 4-5 worms each) Thats it other than feeding my star krill once a week.

12-12-2006, 08:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
PiscesGirl Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 301 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown Algae It's only been 2 weeks. It must be my tap water, because I've never been able to keep the trates down. Will RO/DI fix this problem? After I get ro water, do I have to add anything to this or will the Instan Ocean replace all lost elements? My tank is looking really brown. Are my fish or mushrooms in any danger? (other than the nitrate levels)

12-12-2006, 08:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 747 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae Yes RO/DI will help make the problem go away. I would stick with a strict regimen of changing water every 2 weeks. if you add more live stock then every week would be better. I always go with the 10 percent a week is better then the 20 or more percent every so often. I would also think about switching from Instant Ocean or Marine Pro Reef. Everyone who has used it quotes on much better looking corals and livestock and consistent readings with their test results.

12-12-2006, 08:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown Algae Like Reefguy said RO/DI water will eliminate any problems that are coming from your tap water. I also prefer weekly 10% water changes. The water changes will replace any missing elements in your tank with how you have it stocked. Your fish and shrooms are in no danger from the algae. I would be more worried about the trates. You could use Catalina premixed water if youre lazy like me. ou could do one box a week. One box is 5 gallons. Its all I use and am having great results __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

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