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Brown mushroom -like algae growth

I can't be the only one to see this stuff. It grows fast, and almost looks like a Monti Cap when growing. It loves to cover a large area off rock, and it's a pain to get off.

I cant stand to see it cover my coralline covered areas...

What is it, how do I get rid of it?

Thanks,

Erik
 
Jcurry hit it on the nose! How do I get rid of this stuff??

Accordig to my phosphate test I have 0 Phosphates. (I know what you're going to say Carlo, but I have nothing else to go by).

Thanks,
Erik
 
erid said:
Jcurry hit it on the nose! How do I get rid of this stuff??

Accordig to my phosphate test I have 0 Phosphates. (I know what you're going to say Carlo, but I have nothing else to go by).

Thanks,
Erik

Enough said before I even said it. :) You know what you need to do then right?

If the algae is growing and thriving you got nutrients regardless of what the test kit says. Besides having phosphates you will also have ammonia, nitrite or nitrates present as the algae needs both. If I were to wager I'd also say you have higher then normal amounts of silicates in the tank also.

Concentrate or trying anything you can to lower the nutrients in the tank (regardless of the test kit results). Try skimming aggressive, feed less (if possible), do water changes more often, use new carbon, use a phosphate lowering product. try filter socks and/or sponges but keep them clean. If you are feeding any type of phytoplankton or any special coral foods completely stop them for now. Basically all the typical things that are recommended to people with other algae outbreaks or cyano outbreaks.

How often do you have to clean your glass? Do you get a brown covering that comes off easy with a magnet cleaner (diatoms)?

Carlo

PS I couldn't resist!
 
Hey Carlo. I develop the green haze on the glass every three days or so.
I've also been using your product Bio-CF since the frag swap.
This wafer algae didn't appear suddenly. It's been there since maybe 4 to 5 mos into my tank life, on just "a few of my rocks".

All of my corals are growing very well.
I'm not a fan of carbon or phosphate removal media, I feel like I'm cheating... I like the natural approach. I do like the idea of wet skimming though. Call me hard headed.

Fellow reefers say to be sure to produce allot of fish poop for coral feeding. They only way that I know to do this is to feed the fish (not overfeed). I do notice a positive growth change with with the Bio-CF product though.
I did perform a 10 to 15% water change a couple of weeks ago. I'll do another this weekend.

PS: Is there a silicate test?

Speak to you soon,

Erik
 
Yep, there are silicate test kits and they work pretty decent.

The only problem you'll have however is that you usually have to use a phosphate media to remove silicates. GFO and the aluminum products both take out silicates AFTER they remove the phosphates.

Why not take a water sample to a LFS and have them check it for you. No sense buying a kit if the levels aren't high. If the test comes up above normal then maybe pick up the test kit so you can test at home while trying to reduce the levels.

I totally understand what you mean about using carbon and things like GFO as "cheating". However, keep in mind having a small "ocean" in the living room is cheating to begin with. :) Your fish and corals really won't care much how you get them food and keep the water clean, only that you do both for them.

Definitely try the wet skimming for a while and see if you notice a change over time before resorting to anything else. OH, also test your RO/DI water for phosphates AND silicates to make sure you aren't adding it to the tank that way by accident. Never hurts to check the RO/DI even though that's probably not an issue.

Carlo
 
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