Brown algae

DML08 · 05-20-2008, 11:40 PM

here are some pics of one of my Ph's... this brown algae has been growing fast on both of my PH's(along with Coraline algae) and there is also a green algae that has been growing fast on the glass.. so I have to use the mag float almost everyday.. the tank is a 40g and is about 6 months old.. is this normal or is it a nuisance algae..
salinity.. 1.026 (refractometer)
ammonia.. 0ppm
nitrite.. 0ppm
nitrate.. <5ppm
phosphate.. 0ppm (LFS test)
calcium.. 475
alk.. normal(red sea test)
click on image.. THANK'S

vdituri · 05-20-2008, 11:41 PM

No picture was attached or inserted?

JWarren · 05-21-2008, 12:01 AM

Took a bit of time for them to load, but I see them.

If the algea is hard like coraline it is normal. Coraline comes in many different colors. If it is slimmy and soft it is micro algea. How often are you feeding and what are you feeding? What type of water are you using for make up and top off?

DML08 · 05-21-2008, 12:14 AM

yeah its soft... I have been using RO/DI for top off water and I do 10% water change once a week with salt water from a LFS... I have been feeding with formula 1 and 2 pallets once a day and once a week I mix up mysis, brine and some cyclops soaked in garlic for the fish and corals..(1/2 a cube of each)

JWarren · 05-21-2008, 02:42 AM

How long is your lighting period?

Have you tested the LFS water?

If the is algae growing at a substantial pace then there is something there for it to feed on. I would start doing 5 gal water changes twice a week until there is noticeable improvement. If you have a canister filter, flush it out and dip the media in your old water from the tank and get rid of any solid waste. If you have any filters start cleaning them more frequent. Employing Phosban or some other type of phosphate sponge may help as well.

Remember, just because you may be testing zero, may mean that the algae that is present is absorbing it. High temperature of the water may also be a contributing factor. A fan blowing on the surface will help with this.

Hope that helps.

DML08 · 05-21-2008, 09:43 AM

Phosphate sponge was my next thing step.. this algae poped up after I bought my new T5's . Both this algae and the coraline really took off, but this brown algae is just uatrictive to the eye. My photoperiod is 12/12 and the temp. Doesn't go over 79.

JWarren · 05-21-2008, 02:33 PM

We are coming up on summer too. Everyone I know down here near me starts to get a build up of either brown algae or cyano and usually goes away in the fall. I usually don't worry about algae, cause it comes and goes, unless there is absolutly something noticably wrong. Just go at it with an unused toothbrush and knock it down.

Give phos sponge a shot with a little time to show its working. It's a very gradual change.

DML08 · 05-24-2008, 04:03 PM

that's weird...so I added a phosphate sponge last night.. lets see what happens.. this stuff is started to spread onto my live rock..

05-20-2008, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
DML08 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los banos, ca Posts: 241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Brown algae here are some pics of one of my Ph's... this brown algae has been growing fast on both of my PH's(along with Coraline algae) and there is also a green algae that has been growing fast on the glass.. so I have to use the mag float almost everyday.. the tank is a 40g and is about 6 months old.. is this normal or is it a nuisance algae.. salinity.. 1.026 (refractometer) ammonia.. 0ppm nitrite.. 0ppm nitrate.. <5ppm phosphate.. 0ppm (LFS test) calcium.. 475 alk.. normal(red sea test) click on image.. THANK'S __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-44g-w32g.html

05-20-2008, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown algae No picture was attached or inserted? __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-21-2008, 12:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
JWarren Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown algae Took a bit of time for them to load, but I see them. If the algea is hard like coraline it is normal. Coraline comes in many different colors. If it is slimmy and soft it is micro algea. How often are you feeding and what are you feeding? What type of water are you using for make up and top off? __________________ John Typhoon RO/DI filter unit. My Saltwater web site. Help build ReefPedia!

05-21-2008, 12:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
DML08 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los banos, ca Posts: 241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown algae yeah its soft... I have been using RO/DI for top off water and I do 10% water change once a week with salt water from a LFS... I have been feeding with formula 1 and 2 pallets once a day and once a week I mix up mysis, brine and some cyclops soaked in garlic for the fish and corals..(1/2 a cube of each) __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-44g-w32g.html

05-21-2008, 02:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
JWarren Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown algae How long is your lighting period? Have you tested the LFS water? If the is algae growing at a substantial pace then there is something there for it to feed on. I would start doing 5 gal water changes twice a week until there is noticeable improvement. If you have a canister filter, flush it out and dip the media in your old water from the tank and get rid of any solid waste. If you have any filters start cleaning them more frequent. Employing Phosban or some other type of phosphate sponge may help as well. Remember, just because you may be testing zero, may mean that the algae that is present is absorbing it. High temperature of the water may also be a contributing factor. A fan blowing on the surface will help with this. Hope that helps. __________________ John Typhoon RO/DI filter unit. My Saltwater web site. Help build ReefPedia!

05-21-2008, 09:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
DML08 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los banos, ca Posts: 241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown algae Phosphate sponge was my next thing step.. this algae poped up after I bought my new T5's . Both this algae and the coraline really took off, but this brown algae is just uatrictive to the eye. My photoperiod is 12/12 and the temp. Doesn't go over 79.

05-21-2008, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
JWarren Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown algae We are coming up on summer too. Everyone I know down here near me starts to get a build up of either brown algae or cyano and usually goes away in the fall. I usually don't worry about algae, cause it comes and goes, unless there is absolutly something noticably wrong. Just go at it with an unused toothbrush and knock it down. Give phos sponge a shot with a little time to show its working. It's a very gradual change. __________________ John Typhoon RO/DI filter unit. My Saltwater web site. Help build ReefPedia!

05-24-2008, 04:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
DML08 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los banos, ca Posts: 241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown algae that's weird...so I added a phosphate sponge last night.. lets see what happens.. this stuff is started to spread onto my live rock.. __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-44g-w32g.html

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