brown algae

xsdbs

xsdbs

AC Members
Oct 16, 2006
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I just changed out my lighting system. I had 4 - 60 in vho flourscents and changed to 4 - 60 in T5's with sunbright reflectors. the lighting is quite a bit brighter and makes the tank look better. my problem is that it seems that I am getting brown algae on my rocks and front glass. I also noticed a couple of green spots on the sand bed about the size of a dime, I had never seen this with my other lights. should I have taken a litte time introducing the lights to the tank,( like jut run 1 pr for a few days and then add in the other pr. my params are good
nitrate = 0
nitrite = 0
ammonia = 0
ph = 8.2 - 8.4
salinity = 1.024
Thanks in advance
 
You may want to try a phosphate kit with a lower resolution. If you are getting algae from a simple light upgrade, then you have phosphate in there. It may just be primarily bound in the sand or in pockets of detritus.
 
Amphiprion said:
You may want to try a phosphate kit with a lower resolution. If you are getting algae from a simple light upgrade, then you have phosphate in there. It may just be primarily bound in the sand or in pockets of detritus.
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thanks, I'll look into a different test kit. I would get this once in a while before. am i correct that a water change will help this or should I also use a chemical or pad.
also I should not vacum into the sand bed when doing a water change, correct?
 
No, don't vacuum into the bed. In the worst case scenario, you'd remove portions of the sand, but by no means just vacuum it. You'll just intensify the problems you have now.

I would do a water change and use some phosphate adsorption media or pad (preferably one that is ferric oxide hydroxide based.
 
Amphiprion said:
No, don't vacuum into the bed. In the worst case scenario, you'd remove portions of the sand, but by no means just vacuum it. You'll just intensify the problems you have now.

I would do a water change and use some phosphate adsorption media or pad (preferably one that is ferric oxide hydroxide based.
Click to expand...
What exactly happens when you vacuum the sand? I have an eheim filter and use it to vacuum the bed. I put a fine filter inside the eheim. Then when I'm done I throw away the filter and water. I rinse the sand that was sucked in and put it back in the tank. Is this a bad thing to do?
 
When you vacuum the sand, you introduce fresh tankwater around the grains. This causes a steep concentration gradient which results in a net movement of phosphate back into the water column. Basically, it frees up bound phosphate in sand grains, as well as in detritus deposits in the sand.
 
Amphiprion said:
When you vacuum the sand, you introduce fresh tankwater around the grains. This causes a steep concentration gradient which results in a net movement of phosphate back into the water column. Basically, it frees up bound phosphate in sand grains, as well as in detritus deposits in the sand.
Click to expand...

what about when a power head moves the sand around. is this also bad? I am using 2 rio 2100's for water movement, they tend to move the sand into sand dune like hills in spots and I then will move the sand flat again. I am getting the feeling that this is not good either. I have tried to re aim the power heads in different a direction but then it seems that I have dead spots.
 
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