Brown Algae
- Thread starter drew2005
- Start date
drew2005
Active Member
My initial fill was with tap water. 
dumb move! But we all learn somehow. My water changes for the past 6 weeks have been with RO water from Walmart. My lighting schedule changed since i added the cleaning crew a week ago. 11am actinic on, 12pm daylight on, 8pm daylight off, 9pm actinic off. I used to have all the lights come on at 12pm and go off at 8pm. I have 70lbs of LR in there. Maybe i should add another powerhead and aim it toward the rocks. I only have a spraybar connected to a Mag drive 500gph.
dumb move! But we all learn somehow. My water changes for the past 6 weeks have been with RO water from Walmart. My lighting schedule changed since i added the cleaning crew a week ago. 11am actinic on, 12pm daylight on, 8pm daylight off, 9pm actinic off. I used to have all the lights come on at 12pm and go off at 8pm. I have 70lbs of LR in there. Maybe i should add another powerhead and aim it toward the rocks. I only have a spraybar connected to a Mag drive 500gph.
airforceb2
Active Member
I would get the PH...more water moving means less algae growth. Other than that...just give it time.
kendall
Member
Drew,
I tested out my water, no phospates, that being said Ive been using tap the whole time without problems. If I had phosphates in my tap I would maybe consider the RO, but without them, I'm not wasting money/time on the RO water Your using the RO water and not getting rid of the Brown stuff confirms that you don't neccessarily get rid of algae by going to RO water especially in a young tank. Seriously, I know everybody hypes up the RO water on the board, but I would bring your tap water to a LFS and have them check it out. If your not seeing phosphates in the water I wouldn't spend the extra money and time to do the RO water...There are many other things to be concerned with than RO water, IMO. Like getting a good skimmer, getting good water flow, making sure you have the right number of cleanup crew members. Once you get those right, you'll want the brown stuff. I got mine under control and now I'm looking for more algae to feed these guys and I don't even have any algae sucking fish at this point...
That being said, Turbo snails work the best on the glass and will work on the rock. Hermits and Emerald crabs for the sand. The Emeralds are PIGS, so get 2 of those in there to help cleanup your tank...
I tested out my water, no phospates, that being said Ive been using tap the whole time without problems. If I had phosphates in my tap I would maybe consider the RO, but without them, I'm not wasting money/time on the RO water Your using the RO water and not getting rid of the Brown stuff confirms that you don't neccessarily get rid of algae by going to RO water especially in a young tank. Seriously, I know everybody hypes up the RO water on the board, but I would bring your tap water to a LFS and have them check it out. If your not seeing phosphates in the water I wouldn't spend the extra money and time to do the RO water...There are many other things to be concerned with than RO water, IMO. Like getting a good skimmer, getting good water flow, making sure you have the right number of cleanup crew members. Once you get those right, you'll want the brown stuff. I got mine under control and now I'm looking for more algae to feed these guys and I don't even have any algae sucking fish at this point...
That being said, Turbo snails work the best on the glass and will work on the rock. Hermits and Emerald crabs for the sand. The Emeralds are PIGS, so get 2 of those in there to help cleanup your tank...
jcarroll
Member
I also am starting to have a diatom bloom. I buy all of my water from my lfs. I think everyone gets it no matter what kind of water they use. I hope you don't mind me asking on your thread, but I heard someone mention turbos. How many is a good number for a 55 gallon? I have 4, 10 scarlets, and 2 emeralds. I thought if someone gives me an idea on what else to get, maybe I'll go out and get some today before the diatoms get completely out of control
