Do I have an Algae Problem?

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evenings

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
May 11, 2004
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168
Location
New York
Since I put on my orbit 2x96w, I was told I would grow some life in my aquarium... But what i see are breown stuff that are multiplying like crazy, they're all over the place, I think I have enough clean up crew but I'm not sure if having this brown stuff all over my rocks and this morning on the back wall of my tank is good? I read about diatoms and haven't read anything good about them, then again, every fishstore i've been to has brown algae in their tanks... is this a problem? or is this good for my algae eaters (coz now they have stuff to pick on)... Is there any good algae I'm supposed to have in my tank?
 
Good algae is primarily coralline. Other types of film and macro algaes are good if you want them there :wink:

With diatoms, the main source that feeds it is silicates. Typically introduced through impure water use (tap) or simpley from being a new tank. In any event, once the fuel source is elimintaed, the algae will soon crash on it's own. Best solution is to use RO water. After a few weeks and some water changes, you should see some positive results.

I would also suggest bolstering the algae snail population. Trochus, cerith, nerite, margarita and even some more turbo's. The nassarius you have are not really going to benefit for algae. They are best for detritus control. I would also watch the two stars. They will quickly deplete the life within the sandbed. Sand stars are very efficient hunters and not really recommended.

Cheers
Steve
 
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