Brownish "algae" growing in high flow areas??

thorsky · 08/06/2007, 08:23 PM

I have a dark browish "growth" on a couple of my rock faces and it's starting to grow on a couple of my acros. This stuff does not grow in any of the low flow areas and seems to be concentrated in the highest flow areas. Any ideas? At first I was thinking brown algae of some sort. Or maybe cyano? It's not stringy at all and forms a thin coating on anything it's covering. Tank details are below. I'll see if I can get some pics up tomorrow.

Thanks!

30gal w/ 25gal sump volume 10 months young
T5 lighting 4x39watt bulbs 4 months old
50lbs live rock, 3-4" DSB
DIY skimmer pulling nice dark goo
Phosphate Reactor
2 fish, 1 shrimp, clean up crew
3 small acro colonies
2 3-4" clams

SG: 1.026
Ph: 8.0 (night) 8.3 (day)
Alk: 10.0
Cal: 420-440
Mag: 1350
Phos: 0
Nitrate: <5

Randall_James · 08/06/2007, 09:26 PM

I have seen this in my tanks when nutrients start to get a bit high.. Right where the powerhead flow hits the glass a brown (easy to remove) diatom looking algae grows in the water flow pattern..

I step up the skimming, earlier water changes for a time and it goes away..

08/06/2007, 08:23 PM	#1
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	Brownish "algae" growing in high flow areas?? I have a dark browish "growth" on a couple of my rock faces and it's starting to grow on a couple of my acros. This stuff does not grow in any of the low flow areas and seems to be concentrated in the highest flow areas. Any ideas? At first I was thinking brown algae of some sort. Or maybe cyano? It's not stringy at all and forms a thin coating on anything it's covering. Tank details are below. I'll see if I can get some pics up tomorrow. Thanks! 30gal w/ 25gal sump volume 10 months young T5 lighting 4x39watt bulbs 4 months old 50lbs live rock, 3-4" DSB DIY skimmer pulling nice dark goo Phosphate Reactor 2 fish, 1 shrimp, clean up crew 3 small acro colonies 2 3-4" clams SG: 1.026 Ph: 8.0 (night) 8.3 (day) Alk: 10.0 Cal: 420-440 Mag: 1350 Phos: 0 Nitrate: <5

08/06/2007, 09:26 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I have seen this in my tanks when nutrients start to get a bit high.. Right where the powerhead flow hits the glass a brown (easy to remove) diatom looking algae grows in the water flow pattern.. I step up the skimming, earlier water changes for a time and it goes away.. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"