algae

sting_ray29

sting_ray29

Member
My tank FOWLR has been cycleng for 7 or 8 weeks and my tanks levels are all good.... My tank has 55 ilbs of rock and is a 55 gallon tank.. Why is my tank filled with brown algea and I have kept the light off. Also, I haven't looked inside my fluval 404 since I set it up, when should I check it out and how>>
 
O

octffish

Guest
its normal for a new salt tank to have brown algae and alot of it at first. it will slow down in about one more month or two. it may never go away. algae is just something that happens. and i dont mean to be a know it all but distilled water isnt really good because its been striped of all the good minareals. and your fish will need them. it wont kill anything but your fish may fade in color.the brown algae may change to a green later. use ro water it will work alot better for u. your fluval is ok dont worry about that. just hold it out youll see. good luck.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
sting_ray29...Your brown algae sounds like a very common situation with cycling systems ... diatoms are very common in systems just completeing a cycle. I'd suggest a search using the feature above. There have been numerous posts on the subject that will provide all the information you'll need.
At the top of the page locate the "search" button....type in diatoms and you'll have more info than I could provide for you here. Not a major concern at all and very common.:cool:
 
sting_ray29

sting_ray29

Member
tried reverse osmosis but it didn't work too good and got 15 dollars by spending 40 dollars on the thing... now have to spend 30 dollars for new filter, which is not worth it..
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Also you should always clean your filters...use water from your tank to clean them with to preserve the bacteria...do you use a skimmer? Give that a try. What about lighting? What type?
I think after cycling for 6-7 weeks you should be pretty much through the diatom bloom referenced above...seems like you may have alot of nutrients for the algea to flourish on...you should try and reduce those nutrients, primarily nitrate, phosphate and silicate...as well as ensure you have adequate circulation in the tank, lighting is good (older bulbs tend to slip into the red end of the spectrum), and everything is clean and not harbouring any nitrate producing detritus...
Of course...I could be completely wrong...
 
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