HELP!!! Need advice on fighting "brown" algae - pics included

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

I have been battling a brown algae in my reef for the last couple months. It all started while I was away on business for a couple weeks. When I came back I found this...

I figured it was related to poor waterflow so I redirected powerheads and got this...

Then it spread to this...

Here is a pic of the whole tank...

I added a Phosban reactor last weekend and have been getting good readings on all my parameters. I tried to scrub the stuff off the rocks and overflow, but it is too tough to get with a toothbrush or small hand scrubber.

Anybody have any suggestions for 1)manually getting it off the rocks and tank without having to rearrange anything in the tank 2)any other tricks for eliminating it from the tank?

 

[silverwolf72]

Just make sure you have good water going into the tank, maybe try cutting down on feeding and a shorter light schedule

 

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

The only fish I have is a spotted mandarin, so I don't feed anything other than a twice a week coral feeding.

Also, I tried a 3-straight day no light period and it had no impact...

Any other ideas?

 

[silverwolf72]

Phosphates, Nitrates, silicates are the main thing that algea feed on. I say give the Phosban another week. The stuff usually comes and goes with all tanks

 

[Toddrtrex]

What type of water are you using? And if you are using RO/DI what is the TDS of it.

 

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

Maxima RO/DI with a silica filter. I don't have a TDS meter. Are they expensive? Where can I get one? What is the best one to get?

 

[gregrex]

I've got the same stuff. My Urchin seems to eat it, and it never gets too bad. I wouldn't count on an urchin to erradicate it however... they're just too ADHD to stick with one food for long.

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014322#post11014322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ToTaLCHaoS13
Maxima RO/DI with a silica filter. I don't have a TDS meter. Are they expensive? Where can I get one? What is the best one to get?

How long has it been since you changed the filters on it?

No, they aren't too expensive and well worth it. This is the one that I just got.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...een=PROD&Product_Code=HI-PRIMO&Category_Code=

And let me tell ya, I was shocked at the reading I got. I had gone years without one, and it explained a lot of algae issues that I've been having.

 

[Wrench]

Are you running the PhosBan in a reactor or passively in the sump? It's 100x more effective if used in a reactor.

 

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

Toddrtrex - I changed the micron, carbon and DI filters last month. I'll pick up one of those TDS meters you gave the link to. Thanks.

Wrench - Ya I'm using a "two little fishies" reactor for the PhosBan.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Funny enough I had always changed those too, but kind of forgot about the RO Membrane... oops. My TDS after everything was just under 100!!! Now I am back to 0. And once your RO membrane is spent you will go through DI filters very quickly.

 

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

How long are the RO membranes good for?

 

[Toddrtrex]

That depends on the amount of water that you use, and how high the TDS is in your water to begin with. But, from what I have read, on average 2 years.

I know I had gone longer then that. Mad about myself for that one, because I knew better.