Lots of Brown Algae

[SKiboyOO7]

There is a thick layer of brown (very dark) algae covering most of my tank, my tank has been set up for over a month now, no fish in it. Its a 42 gal hex, my pet store said this is part of the last cycle process, is that correct?

 

[KahluaZzZ]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=75438&papass=&sort=1&thecat=998

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62807&papass=&sort=1&thecat=998

like this ?

 

[SKiboyOO7]

yeah like the stuff that is on your sand mine is just all over!

 

[KahluaZzZ]

It's not my sand...it's from pictures that i found on reefcentral
It's diatoms. I had a lot before, and the best way to get rid of it is a RO/DI.
Well i bought a unit and tada....gone. Silica is removed from tap water with a unit and the algae lose power. In one day or 2...did a big water change and no more diatoms.

 

[aresgod]

no, this is the last part of the cycle, go put in a clean up crew and they will take care of most of it

 

[KahluaZzZ]

Is is too, but i know a guy who had 3 blooms and didn't had 3 cycles.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

This last stage of diatoms to algae can take some 6 months, especially if water conditions are bad or cheap sand is used as the free scilicates in cheap sand will feed the diatom bloom for many months..likewise with the algae stages, if water quality is less than perfect then algae will be a big problem possible for years until the source of the food is discovered.

 

[S.Reef]

Diatoms are fueled by silica, and they usually appear when you first cycle the tank. I personally would just leave the tank alone until the silica is consumed and the algae dies off. You could also buy a clean-up crew or do a water change with RO water....up to you.

 

[schrophi]

Do snails help with that too?

 

[wayne]

Yes, but everytime you reintroduce silica with a water change with impure water you''' get another diatom bloom