Brown algae mat

[Rscomia]

I keep having brown algae growing on my sand if left long enough it becomes a mat like algae What could be causing this? my water parameters check fine and the tank has been up for over three months I would think I would be through the diatoms stage??

 

[Henry405]

It sounds like diatom. I think every new tank will get them eventually. I thought I got lucky but they're growing on my rock right now. It'll eventually die off unlike other algae. If you want to fix it you can do the following:

1. cut back on feeding
2. cut back on lighting. If you dont have coral, leave it off for like 3 days and it'll help a lot
3. PWC will lower the nutrients needed by the algae to grow

If you can post a picture, we can confirm if its diatom or not

 

[Rscomia]

this is some pics

 

[Fishbone13]

Great advice Henry. I agree if you don't have any corals leave you're lights off for a few days that will help along with the PWC's. And maybe if you cut back feed'n you're fish to every other day if thats not what you are do'n already. I remember I had that problem early on when I first started And I did exactally what is stated above and the problem went away. Good luck.

 

[Rscomia]

How much part will the lights play in this? I have coral and cant just shut my lights off I am doing 5 gallon pwc a week on a 90 gallon with a 29 gallon sump Is this enough or should I up that? I do feed everyday but small amounts so cutting back on feeding is something I can do

 

[Fishbone13]

on a 90 gal I would do at the very least 15 gal PWC and the light situation is tough with the coral. I suggest maybe leave'n em on for 5 to 6 hours at the most for a few days and see how that works out. I didn't have corals when I had that problem so I'm guess'n by have'n em on for just those few hours a day may effect the amout of time it will take to end the problem. It may take a little longer but I think it will still work.

 

[Henry405]

If you have corals, research around to see how many hours is recommended for each and leave your light on only enough too keep your coral happy.

 

[jsmith]

I've read just cut back on the whites leave atincs alone... i got a orange spotted goby.. cleaned my sand bed like no tomorrow... also get some chestnut turbid they did a great job on rocks..

 

[Rscomia]

chestnut turbid??? A orange spot goby is actually in my plans for my next purchase

 

[jsmith]

Lol chestnut turbo. Dumb smart phone..