Brown/Rust color algae on substrate

Thanks for the advice, Fragmaster. I replaced the bulbs about 5-6 months ago. I have PC bulbs, a 65W 6700/10000K & a 55W Blue. Both 24" long. For a 55 gallon tank is that the right lighting?

Also, I do have the tank near two windows. When I noticed natural light touching from one window, I put a sheet over the window to block, but recently I noticed light hitting from the other window as well. I have now covered up both windows. I'm now thinking this is the culprit.

To answer your other questions, I did not replace the substrate when I moved the tank. Do you think a move from over a year ago would cause an algae bloom in recent months? Also, the only major water change I have done was when I moved the tank a year ago.

Finally, I did some research on bryopsis and from what I can tell that is not what I have. For the most part it looks to be full green hair alge. I also think I am at fault for initially dealing with the algae on the back wall of the tank by scrubbing it off and letting it filter out of the tank on it's own. I now believe a lot of that floating algae attached itself to the LR, and has unfortunately spread. I'll take your advice and get some snails. Right now I only have hermit crabs. I tried a few snails awhile back, but the crabs killed them for their shells. Thanks again, and please let me know if the lighting I described above is the proper kind for my tank.
 
The most Basic Method and somethimes the best is running your water through active carbon, then gassing the water over 24 hrs. The problem sounds to me like the minerals from your pipes are causing the algae to bloom. The water that you drink generally is not safe for the reef aquarium, it contains chlorine and a number of harmful substances, all are likely to cause diatoms and distressed fish.

You may also stop your diatoms by using RO water, (reverse omosis), this water is safe for the marine aquarium and if you use the water it is almost ceartin that your diatoms will go away.

Also you should reduce your lights down to 6hrs a day if they are anymore that that, and if your tank is near a window with direct sunlight, then i suggest that you move it.
 
Thanks, Mysis. I've actually always used RO water for my top-off, and have never used tap water. I'm hoping that blocking any direct sunlight is going to help with the problem.
 
No problem!
yeah scrubbing in tank very seldom works out to your benefit! LOL!
I would shiat can the 6.7k lights as they are algae BOOSTERS. Its been proven that algae grows best under lower temperature bulbs under 8.5k
I would also up grade your lighting to at least 2x96w actinic and 10k bulbs.
IMHO 110 watts over a 55g reef is not realy adequate.
As, well poor lighting conditions will add to your algae bloom. ( I think this combined with window lightin gis the culprit)

Add a bunch of larger empty snail shell to your tank for the hermits to migrate into as they grow and they will leave your snails be.
I have to wonder why no one does this from the get go and then complains when thier crabs kill thier snails for the shell LOL!
No you in particular so please do not take offense.
I meanw hat do they think the crabs shell grows with it? LOL!
Red legged hermirs are the least agressive of all hermits but even they will kill a snail for its shell given they have out grown thiers.

As for RODI water. Unless you municipal water is notoriously bad you dont real yneed one (unless you plane on keeping sps).
If you are woried about it buy a cheap little TDS meter from ebay for $25
If total parts per million are over 150 - 200 I woul duse an RO unit, if not I would worry about it to much.
Also it is a goo dIdea to blow off your live rock and dead curent areas once a week with a turkey baster ( as wel as your corals such as polyps).
This will help insure a cleaner tank as well as, ensure your corals are healthy and fungus free due to detrious build up in between polyps.
 
Now that you mention it I have recently been using a turkey baster, but I have noticed brown rings around some polyps. Is this fungus from detritis buildup? And if so, what would you recommend to treat it if anything?
 
That's what I was thinking. By the way, what's the rule of thumb on snails i.e. how many snails should I have for a 55 gallon tank?
 
Depends on the amount of algae the tank recieves, if the algae is the right algae and will it provide the snails with a meal, and also which snails you decide to keep, you can get very large snails and very small ones too.
 
Well, right now the amount of algae is pretty high. I picked up 10 astrea snails last night to start. I'll monitor to see if they make a dent on the hair algae I have growing. Other than that I am going to continue with water changes, and checking my phosphates.
 
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