Glass covered in rust/brown coating..HELP!!

[ibby22uk]

Hi all,
Just after some advice, I'm a newbie to marine reefing.
I have an issue with my tank where the glass, power heads etc get completely coated in like a rust/brown coating. It looks unsightly and the rock work is also
covered.
It easily comes off the glass with a magnetic scraper and is very mist like brown/gold dust substance.
Even after regular maintenance, weekly water changes, scrubbing with glass scraper, cleaning power heads in R.O water etc, it just comeback within two days!

The tank is a Red Sea reefer 170 (approx. 165 litres, 43gallon including sump)
It's been running for abt 9 months and latest parameters are below
Ammonia 0
nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Phosphate 0
PH 7.8 - 8.2 range
Alkalinity
Calcium 455
Magnesium 1305
Salinity 1.025
Temp: 25

Fish stock as below:
2 common clowns
2 coral gobies
1 watchman goby
1 royal gramma
1 fire fish
1 angelfish
Clean up crew: snails, hermit crabs and sand sifting starfish.

Sump has bag of carbon and rowaphos. displays tank has an mp10 on one side and another power head on the other side. Lighting is radion xr15 and is on a standard Lps prescheduled programme intensity 55%.

I am really struggling to keep it looking clean, tidy etc and it's driving me round the bend!! So any help and suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Attached pic for info

Many thanks

 

[ericarenee]

If its like a dusting its prob Diatoms if it kinda sticks together cyanao.. on the sand it looks like a mix of both..

The fix can usually be a combination of things..
Things to check Lighting Lighting Cycle,
For diatoms Dead spots and lack of Circulation can be the biggest issue . Micron filter socks changed daily in the sump along with water changes and Vacuuming sand can help if its not DSB..

I would also get a netting top.. They sell kits at BRS and you can make them yourself. Those glass tops are always going to be a issue..

 

[RobZilla04]

It looks like you've got a heavy coating of algae on the bottom. What is your lighting period? Also what intensity and period are the whites?

 

[ibby22uk]

Thank you both for your replies
It's not a DSB so will vacuum the sand. I don't think circulation is the issue as I have two power heads in the tank, I have relocated one where there is a potential dead spot.
Lights are on for 12 hours with brightness at 55% and max intensity during the day at 34%. Whites are on for 9hrs but only running st 15% (pic attached of radion programme

 

[RobZilla04]

I definitely suggest cutting the photo period down to about 8 hours and maybe only 2 or 3 for whites. I noticed my white leds are a big source of algea growth support in my tank.

 

[Jon0807]

I have that exact same problem. But it only shows up after my white lights have been on for a few hours. Everything is crystal clear in the morning and while my blue lights are on. I get it on the glass and on the surface of the water. I only have a 36 gallon without a sump so I added some charcoal to my HOB. It's only been a few days but I has helped. I'll probably cut the duration of my white lights like Rob suggested.

 

[RobZilla04]

The film on the surface of the water is a protein base if I am not mistaken. Those of us with a good protein skimmer eliminate it along with moderate to strong surface agitation.

The guys at my local stores have all said that LEDS greatly contribute to algae. I believe the white intensity and length of photo period greatly contribute to that as I have mentioned. Hopefully someone else can support that theory as well.

 

[ibby22uk]

Thank all for the suggestions, I'll deffo adjust the lighting schedule and bring the whites down.will keep u posted