Brown stuff all over tank!

[temple2101]

Hey guys ... my tank has been up and running for almost two months now. My current stock is 2 false percs, and 1 sixline wrasse. Over the past few days I have began to get growth all over my sand and rocks that is brown. I'm assuming some sort of algae. Well my LFS told me that I should just use some phosphate remover and a turkey baster to blast the algae of the rock and sand until I get it under control. When I used the turkey baster my tank is now veeeeery cloudy.
1st question: will the cloudiness hurt my fish?
2nd question: LFS told me not to put any snails, shrimp, or other clean up crew cause nothing will eat the brown stuff, is that true? Is there anything I can add that will help this stuff go away?
Thanks guys!

 

[nacl-man]

The cloudiness shouldn't harm your fish unless it is neccessary for you to disrupt all the detrius and such on a regular basis (could release trates into the water)... sounds like diatoms, are your powerheads set up such that there is adequete waterflow over the affected areas?
my 2 cents.

 

[wyldgunz]

it does sound like diatom bacteria. if its kind of slimy and brownish red/green its bacteria cause from build of of extra food,waste act not getting moved around... i found that with smaller particle sand and better flow along with more controled feedings takes care of it fast.

 

[temple2101]

Thanks for the responses guys ... I have pretty fine sand (at least IMO) ... as for water movement, I could see that as being a problem. I have 2 AquaClear 301 powerheads on a wavemaker, as well as a close to 10gal sump using a CAP 1800 return pump, as well as an emperor 400 because I just got the sump. Do you think I should add a couple more powerheads and aim that at the problem areas? Also, what do you guys think about the addition of snails, fighting conchs, or things of that sort?

 

[ross]

My red leg hermits eat it like crazy off the sand bed and live rock. I don't know if snails would eat it.

 

[temple2101]

I only have 2 red leg hermits in my tank right now ... should I get more or wait till I have this stuff under control? Also ... I have read that I should reduce the amount of time my lights are on. I just changed to 220W of VHO and I'm assuming that's why this stuff is groing as well. So should I reduce light time in half? I currently run 110W 12,000K and 110W actinic at the same time for 9 hours. Thanks guys!

 

[nacl-man]

Cut back on your lighting for a little while you get things under control, drop it to like 6-7 hours... you don't have to go crazy. Get some lower GPH powerheads and aim them at the problem areas... also a fighting conch or some redlegs may not be that bad of an idea
Good luck! I'm still fighting w/ the same problem in my 44gal... just kinda happened one day no ideas why. Something strange is going on