please help hair brown algae taking over pics

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 05:32 PM

just recently i have had an out break of this algae
i have metal hilides on the tank
nitrates are at 20ppm
phosphates are at 0ppm
i think its the top off water i use has silicates but not sure
i just ordered a typhoon 3 ro unit do you think this will help??

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 06:13 PM

no ones had this problem

Mike 1911A1 · 05/14/2006, 06:56 PM

I had that problem but I got a blue diamond goby and he keeps the same bright white. The purple/red stuff on the rocks looks kinda like cyno bacteria. Does it blow off the rock easily?

Mike

Andrew · 05/14/2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrentH
no ones had this problem

Not true. This brown algae is common in new tanks. Pretty much, every tank will go through this stage.

Mike 1911A1 · 05/14/2006, 07:49 PM

Plenty of people have had this problem. Does it blow off the rock easily?

Mike

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 08:02 PM

yes

Mike 1911A1 · 05/14/2006, 08:25 PM

It's probably cyno bacteria (not really an algea at all). It is caused by high nutrients and phosphates in the water. I am still going through a phase of this. It's best to suck as much out as possible with a turkey baster and keep alot of flow on the rock where it's growing as it's very common in dead flow areas. As for the sand, a sand sifting goby or star will help a great deal.

Mike

Sk8r · 05/14/2006, 08:44 PM

If it gets too bad or threatens specimens ask again. There's a fix for it in its worst stages, but best save it for now.

ken123 · 05/14/2006, 08:47 PM

I have the same problem right now. Using a turkey baster to suck up the cyano off the rocks & sand, this is tedious work. And I put a sponge in the sump to pick up any small floating peices. Also added my 2nd Seio 820 pump to increase flow. Ordered a Phosban reactor, waiting for this to arrive.

Once I sucked up as much as I could and increased flow, it did not come back as fast, but it's still coming.

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 09:06 PM

how long will it last
its pretty bad and been bad for weeks
will ro top off water help?

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 09:57 PM

also it seems to only grow were theres light not behind all the rock work and it has bubbles on it should i get a phosphate reactor ?

Sk8r · 05/14/2006, 10:04 PM

If you're not using ro/di water, there's one source of problems. Better a ro/di unit than a phosphate reactor.

BrentH · 05/14/2006, 11:43 PM

i have been buying water from the lfs but i don't trust the guy
he says it ro but i doubt he ever changes any of the filters
the ro unit i am getting is comeing with a tds meter i am going to test his water and see where it at

05/14/2006, 05:32 PM	#1
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	please help hair brown algae taking over pics just recently i have had an out break of this algae i have metal hilides on the tank nitrates are at 20ppm phosphates are at 0ppm i think its the top off water i use has silicates but not sure i just ordered a typhoon 3 ro unit do you think this will help??

05/14/2006, 08:44 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If it gets too bad or threatens specimens ask again. There's a fix for it in its worst stages, but best save it for now. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/14/2006, 08:47 PM	#9
ken123 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lakewood, New Jersey Posts: 874	I have the same problem right now. Using a turkey baster to suck up the cyano off the rocks & sand, this is tedious work. And I put a sponge in the sump to pick up any small floating peices. Also added my 2nd Seio 820 pump to increase flow. Ordered a Phosban reactor, waiting for this to arrive. Once I sucked up as much as I could and increased flow, it did not come back as fast, but it's still coming. __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 gal AGA, RemoraPro w/Mag3, Outer Orbit 2x150w HQI & 2x130w PC, sump (no fuge)

05/14/2006, 10:04 PM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you're not using ro/di water, there's one source of problems. Better a ro/di unit than a phosphate reactor. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/14/2006, 06:13 PM	#2
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	no ones had this problem

05/14/2006, 06:56 PM	#3
Mike 1911A1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 324	I had that problem but I got a blue diamond goby and he keeps the same bright white. The purple/red stuff on the rocks looks kinda like cyno bacteria. Does it blow off the rock easily? Mike

05/14/2006, 07:49 PM	#5
Mike 1911A1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 324	Plenty of people have had this problem. Does it blow off the rock easily? Mike

05/14/2006, 08:02 PM	#6
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	yes

05/14/2006, 08:25 PM	#7
Mike 1911A1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 324	It's probably cyno bacteria (not really an algea at all). It is caused by high nutrients and phosphates in the water. I am still going through a phase of this. It's best to suck as much out as possible with a turkey baster and keep alot of flow on the rock where it's growing as it's very common in dead flow areas. As for the sand, a sand sifting goby or star will help a great deal. Mike

05/14/2006, 09:06 PM	#10
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	how long will it last its pretty bad and been bad for weeks will ro top off water help?

05/14/2006, 09:57 PM	#11
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	also it seems to only grow were theres light not behind all the rock work and it has bubbles on it should i get a phosphate reactor ?

05/14/2006, 11:43 PM	#13
BrentH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 1,288	i have been buying water from the lfs but i don't trust the guy he says it ro but i doubt he ever changes any of the filters the ro unit i am getting is comeing with a tds meter i am going to test his water and see where it at