Brown Algae In Tank

[Earthling84]

So I've had my tanks up for some time now(over 2 months) and I have some brown algae growth on my live rocks and glass. Not huge amounts, but definitely growing. I clean the glass to keep the tank looking nice with a floating magnet cleaner. But basically my question is... is brown algae normal and something I just let grow, or do I need to manage it somehow, and if so, how do I manage it?

I did recently purchase a few urchins(blue tuxedo, black long spine, and pencil) and also 2 starfish. I am hoping they will help clear some algae and prevent further growth.

Thanks!

 

[SkiFletch]

Depends, is it Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, or Dinoflagellates?

 

[Earthling84]

;o I have no idea. I'll take a picture or video soon, within the next hour, and post it up. maybe you guys can identify it as I don't know.

 

[Earthling84]

here is an image. There isn't tons of algae yet, however, it is starting to show up. You can see the brown on this live rock.

www.tabsite.net/brownalgae.jpg

 

[SkiFletch]

Is it easily blown off the rocks with a turkey baster, or is it more substantial and anchored to the rocks a little? The former would be Dinoflagellates, and the later would be Diatoms

 

[Earthling84]

pretty sure it would be Dinoflagellates then. I moved around the rocks earlier today because I put some new ones in, and I didn't notice any of it falling off, it seemed stuck on fairly well.

 

[SkiFletch]

Hehe, misread me. If it sticks, it's diatoms, if it blows off easy it's Dinos. Get yourself some snails in there, they tend to like Diatoms

 

[Earthling84]

I can't get snails My tank has eels, puffers, lionfish, triggerfish. Snails = food. I do have 3 urchins in the tank(pencil, blue tuxedo, and black longspine). They were recently added and I am hoping they will help some. I also just put in a red knob seastar.

 

[Earthling84]

I heard on another forum that phosphates may be the problem. I was looking at these items and purchased them in hopes they will help.

phosphate pads - http/www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4343

Phosphate media - http/www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=5069

I plan on putting them in my canister filter. I purchased 2 different types(pads and media) for the fact that I want to use this in multiple tanks. I figure the pads will be best for my nano tank as I can cut them to fit into my 'mini' canister on my nano tank. Then I plan on using the pads and/or just the media in my larger tanks canister. Any extra I'll use in my freshwater tanks filters, or save and use when needed in my SW tanks.

 

[Earthling84]

any other ideas or do those seem good? anyone else agree phosphates may be the cause of the excessive algae?

 

[kj23502]

when I click the link to dr foster/smith it says the page is no longer available?? What kind of tank do you have? If you have a sump, I've heard of people using rowaphos. or if you don't, some peope by hang on back filters and don't use the filter media to put their own stuff back there....ie. rowaphos or cheato . Cheato is a green plant that is usually kept under light 24 hours a day. The theory is it uses the nutrients in the tank and it "chokes" out any algea. i've heard of a lot of sucess with this. I haven't tried it yet.



p.s. How are all your other tanks going?

 

[Nick16]

if its diatom, i heard that leaving the lights on for at least 10 hours a day works.

 

[Earthling84]

when I click the link to dr foster/smith it says the page is no longer available??

yea I don't know why links don't work on this forum. they seem to get cut short and then not work... odd.


one was Phos-Zorb and the other was Phosphate filter pads

 

[BigC]

Best thing i found to supress algal growth in main aquarium was having a sump with Cheato in. Lit either reverse cycle to tank or 24/7.
I also cut the main tank photoperiod to 8 hours rather than 12. I also use Rowaphos.
Regards
BigC