Brown Algae

[Oliver]

I am currently having problems with brown algae on my stones and glass and on the sand. It has been comming and going in the last few weeks but has always had its presence. My lfs says that the algae is probebly feeding on silicates from the water and these silicates come from the tap water that I use. I do not have a Ro/DI but use Prime and such chemicals to treat the water before I use it in the tank. I also use a TUNZE chemical (quickphos) which is supposed to reduce the levels of the silicates in the tank, is this any good?

If anyone has any help or advice that could cure the tank or make it better it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sinder255248]

reply

I had exactly the same problem when I first started out. Even if you are using a phosphate remover, this will only curb it a little as you will be adding it all back in at the next water change. I would recommend that you buy a cheap RO unit and use that for your top-offs and water changes. If you consider the amount that you'll be spending on phosphate removers over the next year, and the fact that the tank doesn't exactly look its best, an RO unit comes out alot cheaper. If you do decide to keep using tap water, try using RawPhos, this cleared up mine pretty quickly, and now I use RO water.

Have you checked your Phosphate and Silicate levels? What are your Nitrates at? How long has the tank been up and running? If you haven't got a test kit, your LFS might be able to test your water for free.

Does your tank still look like this: http://img142.echo.cx/img142/550/dscn19516dr.jpg

If it does, it doesn't look like you have much movement down the front side of the tank, Diatoms form easily in spots of poor circulation. Be careful if you have corals in the tank and your phosphates are high. Could you be overfeeding?

Hope you get it sorted soon, I know it can be a real nightmare.