Brown Algae In A Liverock Only Tank

[sahmof2]

We have a 55 gal tank with over 100 pounds of liverock that we bought from someone 2 weeks ago today (it was not taken care of). When we brought it home we had really high nitrates, over 200 and a lot of silt in the subtrate. We did several water changes and got it lowered to around 40. We have green algae that we bought from the fish store, other than that there is nothing but rock. We went away for the weekend and came home to find a lot of the rock is covered in brown algae. Our nitrites are undectable, our nitrates are 40+. The brown algae did not show up until we installed 220 watts of T5 lighting, 110 watts of 10,000k daylight and 110 watts of actinic light. Actinic is on 12 hours and the daylight is on 10 hours by timers. What do we do additional for the nitrates and brown algae, should we let the algae take care of the nitrates? How long could it take for brown algae to use up the nitrates and then die off? What ill effects can the tank have due to the brown algae dying off? We tested our tap water for nitrates and they are undectable. We use instant ocean sea salt that claims to be nitrate free.

 

[Filmoholic]

Sounds like Diatom algea.That's the only brown algea I have had that comes a few weeks after the tank is running.If that is the case they will go away by itself.Good luck.

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds like Diatom algea.That's the only brown algea I have had that comes a few weeks after the tank is running.If that is the case they will go away by itself.Good luck.

Agreed, its likely diatom algae. If it were my tank, I'd do a 100% water change to kick the nitrates and introduce some cleaners to eat the diatoms.

 

[knigec28]

fantastic! i just came on this site and have spent the last 2 or so hours glued to the screen reading everyone's commentary. i have been looking all over the web (for many, many days now) for information regarding reef tanks and whatnot, and i have been trying my best to be an informed consumer/owner; however, i must say that this forum is top-notch. thanks very much for all the help. i'm going to go to sleep now

 

[Demm]

Sounds like Diatom algea.That's the only brown algea I have had that comes a few weeks after the tank is running.If that is the case they will go away by itself.Good luck.

Agreed, its likely diatom algae. If it were my tank, I'd do a 100% water change to kick the nitrates and introduce some cleaners to eat the diatoms.

what kind of cleaners would eat this kinda of algae?

 

[AK77]

Marine snails such as Trochus, Astrea, Nerite and turbos will devour it.

 

[Danno]

I'm partial to margarita snails but some people have a urch towards them.