New substrate, now brown web-like algae?

navychief · 09/21/2008, 07:23 PM

Hey all. I switched over from CC to sand about 2 months ago. My tank is over a year old and had already cycled once through the algae issues.

I now have a thin brown hair algae on my LR and the sand bottom has a brown web-like sheet over it. Is this to be expected since I switched substrate?

Chief

sundancer · 09/21/2008, 11:42 PM

I believe that's normal. Every time I add any significant amount of fresh sand to my sump I get some brown diatom and/or algae. Then I turn the tank lights off and go fishing for a few days. That usually takes care of that.

returnofsid · 09/22/2008, 03:07 AM

It's a typical diatom algae bloom. This is very common, especially among new and immature tanks. It'll most likely clear itself up as the tank matures.

navychief · 09/24/2008, 03:06 PM

That's what I was to figure. Just needed to get a echo back on my thoughts. Thanks.

09/21/2008, 07:23 PM	#1
navychief "Shellback" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 541	New substrate, now brown web-like algae? Hey all. I switched over from CC to sand about 2 months ago. My tank is over a year old and had already cycled once through the algae issues. I now have a thin brown hair algae on my LR and the sand bottom has a brown web-like sheet over it. Is this to be expected since I switched substrate? Chief __________________ CadLights 70G, Radion XR30W Pro, 2 MP 10, Apexs, .25 HP chiller, 3 TLF reactors w/ Carbon/Bioballs, PM Kalk reactor, 24" Giesemann w/4 Actinic T5s/250W 15000K HQI, PM R30 Fuge, Cone-S Skimmer, RS Salt Current Tank Info: 1 Paracanthurus; 2 False Percula; 1 Monacanthidae; 1 Blue Chrysiptera cyanea; 1 Lysmata debelius; 1 Eucidaris

09/24/2008, 03:06 PM	#4
navychief "Shellback" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 541	That's what I was to figure. Just needed to get a echo back on my thoughts. Thanks. __________________ CadLights 70G, Radion XR30W Pro, 2 MP 10, Apexs, .25 HP chiller, 3 TLF reactors w/ Carbon/Bioballs, PM Kalk reactor, 24" Giesemann w/4 Actinic T5s/250W 15000K HQI, PM R30 Fuge, Cone-S Skimmer, RS Salt Current Tank Info: 1 Paracanthurus; 2 False Percula; 1 Monacanthidae; 1 Blue Chrysiptera cyanea; 1 Lysmata debelius; 1 Eucidaris

09/21/2008, 11:42 PM	#2
sundancer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 373	I believe that's normal. Every time I add any significant amount of fresh sand to my sump I get some brown diatom and/or algae. Then I turn the tank lights off and go fishing for a few days. That usually takes care of that.

09/22/2008, 03:07 AM	#3
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	It's a typical diatom algae bloom. This is very common, especially among new and immature tanks. It'll most likely clear itself up as the tank matures.