Brown Algae&CONFUSED!

[thats tangy]

I have a 55g FO SW/LS,Fluval Canister,w/powerheads. I'm getting a lot of brown algae on the sand, dead coral, and glass. Tanks been set up for 3 weeks with water from a previously cycled 29g. I used tap water, but just checked the phosphates which registered 0. I wanted to get a cleanup crew of snails and hermits, and maybe a cleaner shrimp but the LFS said 1.they wouldn't eat the brown algae.2.I had too much phosphates with tap water(I tested 0)3.the cleanup crew wouldn't survive with ANY nitrAtes. My Ph is 8.2, Ammo 0, NitrItes 0, NitrAtes <10ppm, Grav 1.023, Temp 78. HELP!!!
Between this site and the LFS, I'm getting 10 different answers to 1 question and I don't know who to believe. Now the LFS wasn't trying to sell me anything so I don't think they had an alterior motive. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[ijeh99]

My turbo shrimp don't mind the brown algae. I am slowly getting rid of the algae by only using distilled water - as I found out the hard way one shouldn't be using tap water as this is how this type of algae grows.

 

[donkeykong]

same prob with the algae. In the process of trying to figure out what would be cheaper a RO unit or distilled from the store or conditioners.
But the turbos and my hermits are eating a lot of the algae. I dont know about the cleaner since I dont nave one but is on my wish list. My nitrates are at about 20ppm's and they are all doing great.

 

[quazi]

Just get an RO/DI filter. It will save you a multitude of headaches later. I had problems with water quality for years. Once I bought an RO filter, everything in my tank improved. My tank has been setup for over 15 years now, and is running great.
Just do it!

 

[rkm]

I'm going on 7 weeks from the time of setup. I got the brown algae, and watched it go. Then cam the green. I thought ok green is good. Today I came home I had a tank full of brown algae. I have about a dozen crabs, and a dozen snails. I also have a big snail that has alot of prickely fingers coming off of its shell. That snail eats everything. I just got a banded shrimp. He seems to do very well too. For those who weren't sure if they eat brown algae. Mine seems to. I have a 74 bow with a 350 mag pro and 24#'s of LR I know I need more. Whats going on.
Where can I find one of those water filters? I do use well water and I added about 2 gal a few days ago. How much do they run? It sounds like the ticket!!!!
amonia .025,nitrates 0 ph 8.3 salinity is around 1.023

 

[rkm]

Ohhh,
I found the filter in the dry goods of this site. $200 for the cheapest ro/di I think I may go to giant and see how much distilled water is from them.
Thats Tangy,
Sorry to chime in on your post. I just did not want to double post the same question.

 

[quazi]

Watch out for distilled water. It is sometimes made with copper cooling tubes. If you have corals, you may kill them with distilled water.
Just get an RO filter and be done with it. A cheap one can be had to under $100. It is a really good investment.

 

[rkm]

Where do these Ro filters hook up to. Do you hook it into a water supply line coming from my house. Do I just turn my water supply on when I need to use it? confused...