Brown Alge

[mscpda]

I have had an 85 gal Tank set up now for three months. All was well, until I got some lights to start working toward a reef tank. Now I have a Brown Alge. What can I do to fix this ????????

 

[b_ball12_99]

Welcome to the board! What are your readings. I would blame the lighting on the algea bloom. Reduce your lighting time for each day and slowly increase it. Has you tank ever finished cycling?

 

[fishswim]

phosphates and nitrates are another big cause of brown algae. Tap water doesn't help any.

 

[fishswim]

But one thing that will eat up brown algae on substrate is hermit crabs. They cleared up my 25 in a few hours. Snails will also eat it.

 

[rickt4du]

Both of my tanks went thru a diatom bloom after I upgraded my lights.

 

[nm reef]

Agree that light up-grade can / does cause algae bloom......they should be cut back then increased slowly until desired lenghth is reached....also.....what are your tests looking like? do you top-off with tap water or ro/di.........post as much info as possible
type of lights
wattage
duration
type of top-off
chemistry(ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ph/temp
phosphates(if you test for them)
the more info you provide the easier it is for folks here to offer help and advise
and welcome to the board....sounds like a nice syatem you have set-up