Bubble algea

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 09:54 AM

What causes brown bubble algea on certain spot on the sand? Water flow???

clevername · 02/21/2008, 10:00 AM

water flow, water quality, filtration, inhabitants, rock work, lighting..... pick one

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 10:37 AM

clevername2000
How many fish do you have in your 55 gal

clevername · 02/21/2008, 10:59 AM

8 smaller ones, looking at your sig, is your skimmer keeping up with your tank. Whats your skimmer rated for?

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 11:11 AM

brown bubble algae? are you referring to cyanobacteria? are the bubbles brown or is just the algae brown, and has clear bubbles?

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 12:04 PM

It look like just the algae brown, and has clear bubbles. I can kind of scoop it right off the sand.

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 12:10 PM

My PS is rate for 40â€“120 tank. I've had this skimmer for atleast 5 months. This just started the past 2 weeks. I think it's from me changing my flow on that side of the tank. I repositioned my 2 ph on that side last night. We will see if it came back today. Becuase I would stir the sand up in that area nad by the next day when I get home from work it would be back. Last night I scooped it out.

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 12:10 PM

that is not an algae at all. it's cyanobacteria, otherwise known as red slime. vaccuum it off the sand bed and increase the flow in that area. water changes will help also.

i imagine it looks like this-

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 12:12 PM

Yeah something like that but more of a brownish color though. If you stir it up does it come right back the next day?

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 12:13 PM

P.S. don't go by the manufacturers suggested ratings on skimmers. they are way off.
there is no way i would use a remora pro on a 120 gallon tank and sleep at night!

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 12:15 PM

yes, stirring it up won't stop it.
IMO-
just go the water change, more flow, and vaccuuming route. don't try a chemical cure. it's just a bad idea.

Moosetache · 02/21/2008, 12:27 PM

Makes me think of another question.....

Is there a difference between purple bubble algae and green bubble algae??

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 12:28 PM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 12:32 PM

I feel you on the rating issue. For 55 it's doing a great job and pulling skimmate out all the time. This just started since I change my flow.
What you sug. I did last night. I did a 20 gal water change this past Sunday. I'll do another this Sat. or Sunday

masonicman · 02/21/2008, 12:33 PM

HammerDude33

Looking at that site...... That's def not what I got...........

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by masonicman
HammerDude33

Looking at that site...... That's def not what I got...........

i know....that was for Moosetache

clevername · 02/21/2008, 06:44 PM

Yeah i would add some flow, i think that skimmer is boarder line as far as maximum capacity. One thing i do run once a month is carbon, water looks very clean.

Flow should fix your issue. I am running 2 Kolrilla #2s and 1 maxijet 1200

HammerDude33 · 02/21/2008, 07:09 PM

they say running carbon only part time isn't good, due to the fact of the water being somewhat less than clear most of the time, and then making it crystal clear very quickly with the carbon.

something about much more light being able to penetrate the water. i don't know if there is any truth to it, but it does sound logical.

i think they say, either run carbon or don't.

02/21/2008, 09:54 AM	#1
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	Bubble algea What causes brown bubble algea on certain spot on the sand? Water flow??? __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 10:37 AM	#3
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	clevername2000 How many fish do you have in your 55 gal __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 10:59 AM	#4
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	8 smaller ones, looking at your sig, is your skimmer keeping up with your tank. Whats your skimmer rated for? __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

02/21/2008, 12:04 PM	#6
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	It look like just the algae brown, and has clear bubbles. I can kind of scoop it right off the sand. __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB. Last edited by masonicman; 02/21/2008 at 12:10 PM.

02/21/2008, 12:10 PM	#7
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	My PS is rate for 40â€“120 tank. I've had this skimmer for atleast 5 months. This just started the past 2 weeks. I think it's from me changing my flow on that side of the tank. I repositioned my 2 ph on that side last night. We will see if it came back today. Becuase I would stir the sand up in that area nad by the next day when I get home from work it would be back. Last night I scooped it out. __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 10:00 AM	#2
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	water flow, water quality, filtration, inhabitants, rock work, lighting..... pick one __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

02/21/2008, 11:11 AM	#5
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	brown bubble algae? are you referring to cyanobacteria? are the bubbles brown or is just the algae brown, and has clear bubbles?

02/21/2008, 12:12 PM	#9
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	Yeah something like that but more of a brownish color though. If you stir it up does it come right back the next day? __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 12:13 PM	#10
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	P.S. don't go by the manufacturers suggested ratings on skimmers. they are way off. there is no way i would use a remora pro on a 120 gallon tank and sleep at night!

02/21/2008, 12:15 PM	#11
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	yes, stirring it up won't stop it. IMO- just go the water change, more flow, and vaccuuming route. don't try a chemical cure. it's just a bad idea.

02/21/2008, 12:27 PM	#12
Moosetache Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 552	Makes me think of another question..... Is there a difference between purple bubble algae and green bubble algae??

02/21/2008, 12:28 PM	#13
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php

02/21/2008, 12:32 PM	#14
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	I feel you on the rating issue. For 55 it's doing a great job and pulling skimmate out all the time. This just started since I change my flow. What you sug. I did last night. I did a 20 gal water change this past Sunday. I'll do another this Sat. or Sunday __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 12:33 PM	#15
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	HammerDude33 Looking at that site...... That's def not what I got........... __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

02/21/2008, 06:44 PM	#17
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	Yeah i would add some flow, i think that skimmer is boarder line as far as maximum capacity. One thing i do run once a month is carbon, water looks very clean. Flow should fix your issue. I am running 2 Kolrilla #2s and 1 maxijet 1200 __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

02/21/2008, 07:09 PM	#18
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	they say running carbon only part time isn't good, due to the fact of the water being somewhat less than clear most of the time, and then making it crystal clear very quickly with the carbon. something about much more light being able to penetrate the water. i don't know if there is any truth to it, but it does sound logical. i think they say, either run carbon or don't.