Brown Algae

[beaver]

Halo,

As above, just wondering why there are brown algae on live rocks and branches, even phospate is near zero? None on the sandbed and glass.

I don't even switch on the actinic lights very long daily.

Thanks!

[aquabeAnz]

PO4 test kits only measure the inorganic PO4 present in the tank..

[Dazza]

brown algae , if diatoms usually caused by silicates

[aquabeAnz]

brown algae on live rocks and branches

Indo LRs have quite a bit of PO4 leeching out in general

[beaver]

brown algae , if diatoms usually caused by silicates

So how do I get rid of it? Thks.

[blueheaven]

Use those phosphate/sillicate removal media and top up with at least DI water.

Diatoms build a sillica shell around their cell and that's why they need sillicates to thrive.

Hope this helps

[Dazza]

get tropical abalones to get rid of yr diatoms lah... gv Henry a call lah he usually hv them ....

[shoelevy]

it can also help to increase the flow in your tank simply by installing a good wave maker like tunze or seio.

actually, most reefers i know who are keeping sps still have such algae growing but its not an outbreak.

as long as yours isn't an outbreak and its just slow growth in certain small areas, then just let it be

[beaver]

Thanks all! i am currently using Rowaphos. It is not really an outbreak lah but the brownish tinge makes the rocks look dirty & i am worried that they may reduce coralline algae growth. I don't use DI water but tap water treated with Kent Marine Ammonia eliminator.....

[blueheaven]

Rowa should be able to reduce silicates to some extent but I think that bulk of it still comes from the water we top up.

But just to sidetrack a bit, do you guys know that diatoms cannot live in the wild without water currents? Their silica shell is so heavy that if there is no water movement, they'll sink to the dark depths and die because there is no light

[keithtanbb]

hey beaver, do you have good current over that area that the diatom are growing on? I experience some growth in the "dead" area as the diatom/algae are free to propagate! installing a small pump over the area to provide some current may help

[beaver]

Thanks guys! I have a powerhead in the tank liao. I would add another one later today.....