rusty looking stuff on substrate

[rover61]

Another question for you smarties
I had an outbreak of red slime algae about 6 weeks ago. I was able to get that under control, or so I thought. Shortly after that, I noticed a rusty redish brown color appear on my substrate, especially in the better lite areas. In the morning when the lights are first turned on it is practically gone, but grows darker in color as the lights stay on through the day. It is not slimy and seems to not be growing at all, only changing color. Does any one have an idea of what it might be and how to get rid of it. PS Since that out break of red slime algae I have set up a sump and added mirco algae, which grew like crazy at first, but now has slowed considerably.
Tank setup 9 months
45 gallon
10 gal sump
0 nite's
temp 78
Thanks for you help,
Rover

 

[jsolomon]

Its probably just brown algae. Stir up your substrate and just use a net to collect the loose particles. What type of lighting are you using, are they older lights. Sometimes the lights lose their intensity and this causes algae to grow more rapidly.

 

[joe's reefer]

is it golden/yellow/brownish than its diatom its caused by to much silacates
<img src="graemlins//uhuh.gif" border="0" alt="[U-Huh]" />

 

[rover61]

Brown algae, did know there was such a thing. That is definitely what I would say it is. Problem with my lighting is this, I live in Thailand and supplies are very little, but fish and other sea creatures are available at a fraction of what you pay in the US. Getting back to the lights. I made a hood myslef and put six regular floresent lights on it. That's all I can find here and all that can fit under the hood. I am using 3 20w white and 3 20w blue. Some are getting older like you mentioned.
I have two clams (growing great), a green hammer that has more than doubled in 5 months, and two sea anonemes that are two great (one was even sucked into the powerhead and recovered.) I hand feed these guys about once a week.
I know this is very little light compared to what may of you say needs to be used, but thus far with the exception of this brown alage I have had nothing but success. Sorry I kind of strayed from the topic.
Thanks for the imput,
Jeff