? rusty brown algea ?
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happyhourh
Member
How long have you had the tank set up?
What are your water parameters?
Amount of flow in tank?
What are your water parameters?
Amount of flow in tank?
happyhourh
Member
Its likely diatoms which happen to almost any new tank. Id recommend getting 7-10 various snails(3 turbos, 3 cerith, 4 nassarius) to keep up with algae growth. You should also be sure to use ro/di water only and do a 10% water change a week to keep nutrient levels down.
S
saltfreak4
Guest
Originally Posted by Marka1620
I just noticed that same rust colored stuff also. It's on the back of my tank towards the top and on top of my powerhead. Seems to be more concentrated the closer it is to the light. Does this also sound like diatoms.....my tank is about 1.5 months old.
Yes, it's likely diatoms (looks like rust). This is a silicate, not an algae.
Diatoms are single celled silicate, brownish in color. It starts out as a dusting on the substrate that rapidly turns into a mat that can cover the tank over in just 5 days, provided that they have a surplus on nutrients available.
The cause: excess nutrients, silicate and silicic acid are the ingredients for a diatom bloom. Silicic acid enters the aquarium by using tap water; substrate can contain silicates that leach out over time. RO/DI units can filter silicic acid out, but only for a limited time. Eliminating silicates can control diatoms.
I know that the conch is good at removing these. But I don't know about the "other" algae eaters.
I just noticed that same rust colored stuff also. It's on the back of my tank towards the top and on top of my powerhead. Seems to be more concentrated the closer it is to the light. Does this also sound like diatoms.....my tank is about 1.5 months old.
Yes, it's likely diatoms (looks like rust). This is a silicate, not an algae.
Diatoms are single celled silicate, brownish in color. It starts out as a dusting on the substrate that rapidly turns into a mat that can cover the tank over in just 5 days, provided that they have a surplus on nutrients available.
The cause: excess nutrients, silicate and silicic acid are the ingredients for a diatom bloom. Silicic acid enters the aquarium by using tap water; substrate can contain silicates that leach out over time. RO/DI units can filter silicic acid out, but only for a limited time. Eliminating silicates can control diatoms.
I know that the conch is good at removing these. But I don't know about the "other" algae eaters.
reefreak29
Active Member
Diatoms are a major group of eukaryotic algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although some form chains or simple colonies. A characteristic feature of diatom cells is that they are encased within a unique cell wall made of silica (hydrated silicon dioxide). These walls show a wide diversity in form, some quite beautiful and ornate, but usually consist of two asymmetrical sides with a split between them, hence the group name.
run some phosphate remover or turbo snails
run some phosphate remover or turbo snails
reefreak29
Active Member
heres some more info BROWN DIATOM ALGEA: usually accurs in newer reef tanks. mostly because of the introduction of live rock, wich introduces silicates and nutrients to your tank.
a brown film soon coats your sand bed.The control of diotoms is fairly easy.u first need a benificial cleen up crew trochus and astraea snails eagerly consume the brown diotoms. The second thing u want to do is perform regular water changes to remove access nutrients.
a brown film soon coats your sand bed.The control of diotoms is fairly easy.u first need a benificial cleen up crew trochus and astraea snails eagerly consume the brown diotoms. The second thing u want to do is perform regular water changes to remove access nutrients.