Brown Algae

dennism · 07/04/2008, 04:20 PM

We have a 55 gallon aquarium that has been setup for a little over a year. We have struggled with this tank from day 1.

Our current watter parameters are:

Temp 75 -78 Heater and chiller in place to control temp.
Calcium - 440 ppm
Hardness - 10 ppm
Phosphate - 10
Nitrate - 5
Nitrite - 0
PH 8.4
Amonia - 0
Salinity 1.025

We have about 1.5" of aragonite for the sand bed. We have some live rock. We have 2 clown fish, 1 blue tank, 2 Blenies, 1 Royal Dottyback. In addition we have small pipe organ, button polyp, hairy mushroom, small zooanthid (and getting smaller), brain corral, star polyp. Our problem is that we have never been able to acheive the crystal clear aquarium with the nice purple colors and vivrant corrals. In fact right now we have a lot of brown algae that seems to be taking over.

We feed 1 cube of mysis shrimp and 1 cube of emerald entre each day. Daily we are feeding with Photoplankton and coral vital as suggested.

We have talked to three different fish stores and everyone says that we are doing everything right. And all of them say to stay the course and not do anything. We have even had 1 of them out 3 different times to look at this tank.

Anyway the bottom line is that we are not going anywhere. How do I get rid of the brown algae and start getting the purple colors and the corals growing?

Thanks!
Dennis

kau_cinta_ku · 07/04/2008, 04:53 PM

phosphate 10? thats your big problems right there. but I am guessing that number is wrong.

also 2 cubes of food a day is alot IMO. i feed 1/2 a cube a day to my fish and I have just as many.

also what are you using for water changes? tap, rodi, ro, ect.

BTW

To Reef Central

Acillaton · 07/04/2008, 06:33 PM

Can you poste a pic? And I agree with kau cinta ku, you have a high phosphate level. To solve it, best is a refugium with some macro algae such as a "cheato".

dennism · 07/05/2008, 05:11 PM

You are right. There was a typo.

The correct phosphate should reads 0.

In addition we do about a 10 gallon water change once a week. We use RO water for the water changes.

Attached is a photo.

Thanks for your help!
Dennis

kau_cinta_ku · 07/05/2008, 05:16 PM

that pic. is small. but even still I would have to go with my 1st post. if you have algae then you have phosphates.

cut down on your feedings to 1/2 cube a day. and in time it will slowly go away.

07/04/2008, 04:20 PM	#1
dennism Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 4	Brown Algae We have a 55 gallon aquarium that has been setup for a little over a year. We have struggled with this tank from day 1. Our current watter parameters are: Temp 75 -78 Heater and chiller in place to control temp. Calcium - 440 ppm Hardness - 10 ppm Phosphate - 10 Nitrate - 5 Nitrite - 0 PH 8.4 Amonia - 0 Salinity 1.025 We have about 1.5" of aragonite for the sand bed. We have some live rock. We have 2 clown fish, 1 blue tank, 2 Blenies, 1 Royal Dottyback. In addition we have small pipe organ, button polyp, hairy mushroom, small zooanthid (and getting smaller), brain corral, star polyp. Our problem is that we have never been able to acheive the crystal clear aquarium with the nice purple colors and vivrant corrals. In fact right now we have a lot of brown algae that seems to be taking over. We feed 1 cube of mysis shrimp and 1 cube of emerald entre each day. Daily we are feeding with Photoplankton and coral vital as suggested. We have talked to three different fish stores and everyone says that we are doing everything right. And all of them say to stay the course and not do anything. We have even had 1 of them out 3 different times to look at this tank. Anyway the bottom line is that we are not going anywhere. How do I get rid of the brown algae and start getting the purple colors and the corals growing? Thanks! Dennis

07/04/2008, 04:53 PM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	phosphate 10? thats your big problems right there. but I am guessing that number is wrong. also 2 cubes of food a day is alot IMO. i feed 1/2 a cube a day to my fish and I have just as many. also what are you using for water changes? tap, rodi, ro, ect. BTW *To Reef Central*

07/04/2008, 06:33 PM	#3
Acillaton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CT Posts: 430	Can you poste a pic? And I agree with kau cinta ku, you have a high phosphate level. To solve it, best is a refugium with some macro algae such as a "cheato".

07/05/2008, 05:16 PM	#5
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	that pic. is small. but even still I would have to go with my 1st post. if you have algae then you have phosphates. cut down on your feedings to 1/2 cube a day. and in time it will slowly go away.