Redish brown algae

bama man

Member
Sherdog. How long has your tank been set up? If it's a new tank that is just cycling it is probably diatom blloms. I just went through that with a 30 g DT that I set up about 3-4 months ago. I was constantly cleaning it out,which made it look greath for a couple of days and then BAM there it was back. It was a rusty red dust-like. You can get a turkey baster and use it to vaccuum out all you can. I did this several times among with water changes. I was about ready to pull my hair out. Anyway, If you will leave your lights off for a couple of days and cut back on feedings or the amount fed each time, I think you will see it finally go away. I'm no expert but they say the diatom blomms are a normal thing with a new tank cycling. I was initially turning onb the lights in the morning before work and wasn't turning them off until bate at night. Leaving the lights off worked for mr. Hope this helps !!!! Welcome to the Boards !!!
 

mr_x

Active Member
the other possibility is that it's not an algae at all. it's cyanobacteria. it's a common problem generally brought on by excessive nutrients. vaccuum it off of the sand bed, and increase flow in that area, and do some waterchanges. re-evaluate your feeding regimen.
 

rotarymagic

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2782917
the other possibility is that it's not an algae at all. it's cyanobacteria. it's a common problem generally brought on by excessive nutrients. vaccuum it off of the sand bed, and increase flow in that area, and do some waterchanges. re-evaluate your feeding regimen.
...and add something export phosphates.
 

mr_x

Active Member
i think waterchanges could do that, providing the water is from a good source, like an R.O.D.I. unit.
 
V

vince-1961

Guest
I just googled for images of cyanobacteria and suspect I may have it. I'll take pics and post them in a new thread with all relevant info re: age of tank, cycling, water parameters, etc.. If it is, the little bit of reading I just did indicates that there is really only one acceptable way to get rid of it, namely:
1. Physical removal from the tank via vacuum action.
2. Keep the lights off for at least two weeks.
3. Increase water flow.
My clean up crew should be arriving any day now. I was counting on them to clean up thinking all just had algae.
(Won't my hard corals suffer from absence of light?)
 

mr_x

Active Member
no, leaving the lights off for 2 weeks won't get you rid of your issue.the underlying problem is one of excess nutrients. leaving the lights off for 2 weeks will only temporarily remove the symptom.
your photosynthetic corals will definitely suffer from 2 weeks of no light.
 

sherdog

New Member
Thanks guys....Did a little water change and some minor cleanup and all is well now.
I'm new here and new with my tank really and really getting into this I will take some pics soon and post.
thanks for the help
 
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