brown stuff

[ilovetrains]

What I assuming is brown algea is spreading everywhere. The live rock had some green algea, and red bud like stuff as well. But over the past 12 hours brown algea is spreading everywhere. Is this normal or OK?

 

[drummereef]

I'm assuming the tank was recently set up? Most likely a diatom bloom. This and a green hair algae bloom are very common in newly cycling tanks. Should go away on its own. I highly suggest using RO/DI water as your water source for any algae issues.

 

[supertech3]

If you have snails they will clean it up but on your glass you may want to use a mag float or srcubber of some type.

 

[JustADude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9720721#post9720721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
I'm assuming the tank was recently set up? Most likely a diatom bloom. This and a green hair algae bloom are very common in newly cycling tanks. Should go away on its own. I highly suggest using RO/DI water as your water source for any algae issues.

I agree , sounds like a diatom bloom and will clear up, this can also happen when you add new lighting

 

[romunov]

FWIW, most snails in available in this hobby will eat (only) diatoms.

 

[ilovetrains]

Are snails important to have? We just got three starfish today. No idea if those help any.

 

[andrewr]

Snails are a necessary evil...some of us dont need them at all, some do. I personally like having them in my tank b/c they nip things in the bud so to speak before algae can really get a foot hold in your tank. Diatoms will eventually disappear without adding snails, but other types of algae will start to grow...the red stuff is probably some cyano

 

[ilovetrains]

I saw one snail the other day, assume he made his way in on the live rock, have not seen him since. we also have three starfish, but not sure if they eat the diatoms.

After a few days the diatoms looked to be slowing down and going away, but in the last 12 hours it has blossomed at least twice as big as before.