brown diatom algae?

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hobbes

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
9
Location
Redwood City, CA
Just started a new 40 gal FOWLR tank. I have had the live rock in there for about 5 days, and its starting to show some brown color, from my limited research I am assuming it is brown diatom algae? Some part of the rock have small bubbles which will float to the surface.

How normal is this? Is there something I should be doing to prevent/get rid of it?

Thanks!
 
you need to check your phosphate levels and see where they are. Keep your nitrates down and use ro/di water if you arent already. Think about cutting the lighting time of your tank down and do you have snails/hermits or any kind of clean up crew?
 
no snails or hermits, just have some damsels in there. Running 2 65w bulbs about 10 hours a day. I purchased the marine water 5 days ago from my LFS and haven't done a water change yet. Just ordered a RO/DI filter off of Ebay this weekend so hopefully will have it this week.

If it matters, once cycled I plan on having 4-5 fish (pair of perculas, and a couple other undecided fish) as well as a couple cleaner shrimp.

Thanks again.
 
speaking of lighting diatoms are not fueled by light are they?? i was under the impression they are not algae
 
If I remember, diatoms are a brown algae. They feed of of light and silicates that can be brought in sand or water supplies. They are a normal appearance usually a few weeks after a tank has cycled. Diatoms will most likely disappear over time as they deplete their food source (assuming it is not constantly replenished by using tap or contaminated source water).
 
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