Brown algae problem. Needs help.
- Thread starter kobeSumo
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Sure, I can try, what are your water perameters and how many times an hour are you turning your water over and what lighting are you currently using? Also, have you done anything new and different with your tank as far as feeding, stocking, light bulbs, salts, additives, etc.? Whats the size of tank and basic stocking list? Filters?
exp tells me, not enough water flow and high phosphates/nitrates initially and maybe not enough or wrong filtering methods.
exp tells me, not enough water flow and high phosphates/nitrates initially and maybe not enough or wrong filtering methods.
Yeah, this could be part of the problem. Not the best in filtration and what is the air pump for? Whats your Nitrates and Phosphates?
And I will always recomoned an RO unit to anybody doing saltwater, most of your tapwater is unfit to be put into your marine aquaria.
What are you using for water movement? How much Live rock? Size of tank?
RO and Phosphate reduction
I agree with Mahlhavoc; phosphates and nitrates caused me a lot of pain with algae. I had two weeks of green cloudy water. I also had brown algae, red algae, still have green hair algae...
I have a power filter, like you, but without Bio-Wheel (are they any good with saltwater anyway? - your live rock contains all the nitrifying bacteria). I use a standard charcoal filter, a Poly Filter pad and a Pure Flo 100 micron pad in it. A second power filter (from a 1 gallon nano tank) runs a surface skimmer with charcoal and PhosX (see below).
My water has been clear for two weeks now after I started using PhosX, a phosphate remover, and started using supermarket RO drinking water for replenishment and water changes. I also watch how much Iodine and Iron I add, as algae like these. I also now have a Kent Barebones RO unit still in the process of hydrating its membrane which will be the source of my water starting in a couple of days...
Good luck! Wish I could tell you more, but I am only a newbie with a 10 gallon tank...
I agree with Mahlhavoc; phosphates and nitrates caused me a lot of pain with algae. I had two weeks of green cloudy water. I also had brown algae, red algae, still have green hair algae...
I have a power filter, like you, but without Bio-Wheel (are they any good with saltwater anyway? - your live rock contains all the nitrifying bacteria). I use a standard charcoal filter, a Poly Filter pad and a Pure Flo 100 micron pad in it. A second power filter (from a 1 gallon nano tank) runs a surface skimmer with charcoal and PhosX (see below).
My water has been clear for two weeks now after I started using PhosX, a phosphate remover, and started using supermarket RO drinking water for replenishment and water changes. I also watch how much Iodine and Iron I add, as algae like these. I also now have a Kent Barebones RO unit still in the process of hydrating its membrane which will be the source of my water starting in a couple of days...
Good luck! Wish I could tell you more, but I am only a newbie with a 10 gallon tank...
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While Phos sponges work, they are only temporary fixes to the real problem you have created yourself by taking short cuts or going a cheaper way or adding things you shouldn't have. Phos guards and sponges only add more expense than doing it right the first time in the long run.
I have never used such a product, I find the cause, and stop it, theres no use putting bandaids on something that shouldn't be there in the first place if done correctly.
Or you can look at it like this, you don't want to buy a heater for your house because of the initial cost, but instead run 5 space heaters that drive your bill up incredibly high. Wheres the logic? besides, some phos sponges can leach back into your system adding to your problems.
Fix the problem if you can, don't cover it up.
I have never used such a product, I find the cause, and stop it, theres no use putting bandaids on something that shouldn't be there in the first place if done correctly.
Or you can look at it like this, you don't want to buy a heater for your house because of the initial cost, but instead run 5 space heaters that drive your bill up incredibly high. Wheres the logic? besides, some phos sponges can leach back into your system adding to your problems.
Fix the problem if you can, don't cover it up.