Brown algae help

[Moose821]

Well I've been battling with brown algae growing in my sand and rock, my water parameters are perfect, only 8 hours of light, and kept feeding to a minimum. So I couldn't figure out why my tank was being taken over and I know others have had the same problem. Luckily I found the perfect clean up crew and in the matter of 1 night I woke up this morning to clean sand. I bought 5 large hermit crabs from my LFS, anyone struggling with the same prob I highly recommend them.

 

[Sniperhank]

How old is the tank? It is most likely diatoms, which consume silicates from your sandbed. This is a normal 'stage' of new tanks and will eventually burn itself out.

 

[lstimpy]

I had the same issue, great water params and some yucky algae. I got a fighting conch and a couple of nassarius snails to stir the sand, they're all doing great and the sand looks terrific. I'm not showing any nitrates and >.04 phosphates. Good luck!

 

[Moose821]

Tank is new only around 2months but it was still driving me crazy.

 

[bond300]

What is your waterflow rate? Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[Moose821]

Yes RO/DI only and I forget what rate my power head is rated at off the top of my head. I believe it's just because my tank is fairly new.