As I stated before, I'm rather new to the hobby. And boy oh boy I'm learning some lessons. Ok the past few days I have been battling, what appears to be brown hair algea and at time covered in air bubbles. Everything is normal except nitrates they are running about 20ppm. Please someone tell me how to handle this
Brown hair algea
- Thread starter Tonyglover
- Start date
The third picture looks like it may be dinoflagellates, which get called brown hair algae sometimes. Either way, this isn't actual hair algae. Dino/cyano are small organisms and this definitely looks like dinos or cyano to me.
I've had problems with both of these before.
Where do you get your water from? Is it RO water?
Do you feed heavily?
Make sure your lighting isn't faulty. That can cause it. If you want to get rid of them, usually a 24 hour black out will solve the problem and won't harm your coral or fish. You can also siphon out as much as possible.
These outbreaks are pretty common in newer reefs to my understanding. But we should still work on finding the source of the problem.
I've had problems with both of these before.
Where do you get your water from? Is it RO water?
Do you feed heavily?
Make sure your lighting isn't faulty. That can cause it. If you want to get rid of them, usually a 24 hour black out will solve the problem and won't harm your coral or fish. You can also siphon out as much as possible.
These outbreaks are pretty common in newer reefs to my understanding. But we should still work on finding the source of the problem.
Congrats! It looks like you're dealing with diatoms! This is a normal part of setting up a new tank. Please tell us how old this particular system is but I'm guessing it's fairly new since diatoms are really, really common in tank less than a year old.
You're right, diatoms usually aren't so "Stringy" I'm banking on the fact that he describes is as "Brown algae" and not snot.
I did a 48 hour black out. I only feed once per day. And I get it from my local fish store and its suppose to be rodi water. But I think I will just use mine. That way I will no for sure
My system, is about one month old.
Common in a system that young I would say. Good idea making your own water. Do you have your own Ro/DI? It's always better making your own water so you know what's going into it.
Also I would recommend running some carbon if you don't already. I actually run GFO and carbon bags in my tank and my water stays pristine. Haven't had any sort of nuisance algae in forever. A good refugium will help combat dino/diatoms. Macro algae hoards the nutrient for itself.
Also I would recommend running some carbon if you don't already. I actually run GFO and carbon bags in my tank and my water stays pristine. Haven't had any sort of nuisance algae in forever. A good refugium will help combat dino/diatoms. Macro algae hoards the nutrient for itself.
What I would recommend is to not disturb the cycle that is taking place, this means no water exchange and not touching the ugly stuff. When you disturb it you prolong the cycle and it doesn't get to finish the process. One month is a very immature tank, water parameters may APPEAR to be stable, but there is a lot more going on than our test kits can show us. You are doing the right thing by doing research and reaching out to your peers, continue to do that and you will make it fast in this hobby. Around months 3-6 your tank will finally start to settle down and stop showing you little surprises. Patience is key.
Thank you. I no patience is the key. Need to learn that. So just leave it alone, and let nature take its course.
I want to thank everyone for your support and suggestions
I'd like to see a full tank shot, I just like looking at tanks 
The whole tank but could not get sump in the pic
Good lookin' tank and I really, really like the filter floss/powerhead vacuum you're using. I make those all the time when I have to move stuff around in the tank and need the water to clear up quick.
Works pretty well
That's very true, but it's very disheartening, to see it after all the work u put into it
I agree bro, but I look at it a bit different maybe. With this being my first salt water tank and going kind of big, I'm just trying to take it slow and use every thing as a learning process. I don't comment unless I feel I can help, but I read every story good or bad just to try to learn. It's kind of cool to go from a tank- of water to start to see nature in progress! Sorry if I sound a bit crazy, I try to make the process fun. Ive been working on this since February!
No you dont sound crazy. I to read, listen, and ask a lot of questions, thank God for arc. I've gotten lots of great advice, and looking forward to come to a meeting
