New Tank, Crazy Algae

[kirkaz]

I have a 450 gallon mixed reef, started in October. About a month ago this algae started growing on all the rocks and it's getting really bad. The algae is not green, not red either. It's a very light brown.

Couple issues....

New house, no window treatments yet, currently a lot of light in the room, to be remedied tomorrow.

I used Real Reef Rock almost exclusively. If you are not familiar, it is non LR made to look exactly like it. Great stuff, but I've heard of a few people having outbreaks of algae when establishing it.

New tank. I think this has a lot to do with the issue.

Phosphate and Nitrate are as close to 0 as my test kits can have them. I have a massive skimmer, UV, and biopellet reactor.
ph 8.4
Calcium 460
I don't think I run the lights an abnormal amount. Moonlights only from 7-noon (very minimal), all blue from noon till 3, blue and white from 3-9pm, blues decreasing amount from 9-11 pm, then off. Brand new ReefBreeder LEDs.

Mostly concerned with how to get rid of it. I have snails and crabs, but could do more. Would 30 Astea Snails be effective? I've considered putting all the corals in the fuge (where there is no abnormal algae despite a kessil 360 being on it) and throwing a blanket on the tank for a couple days....thoughts?

Thanks

 

[yellowRubi]

Is it like a brown turf algea? how much flow do you have in the tank?

 

[kirkaz]

Is it like a brown turf algea? how much flow do you have in the tank?

IDK, it could be turf, could be hair, could be Lyngbya. I will try to snap a pic when the whites come on at 3

Vortech MP 60 at about 80% and a Mag 18 return

 

[swnoob]

I have a 450 gallon mixed reef, started in October. About a month ago this algae started growing on all the rocks and it's getting really bad. The algae is not green, not red either. It's a very light brown.

Couple issues....

New house, no window treatments yet, currently a lot of light in the room, to be remedied tomorrow.

I used Real Reef Rock almost exclusively. If you are not familiar, it is non LR made to look exactly like it. Great stuff, but I've heard of a few people having outbreaks of algae when establishing it.

New tank. I think this has a lot to do with the issue.

Phosphate and Nitrate are as close to 0 as my test kits can have them. I have a massive skimmer, UV, and biopellet reactor.
ph 8.4
Calcium 460
I don't think I run the lights an abnormal amount. Moonlights only from 7-noon (very minimal), all blue from noon till 3, blue and white from 3-9pm, blues decreasing amount from 9-11 pm, then off. Brand new ReefBreeder LEDs.

Mostly concerned with how to get rid of it. I have snails and crabs, but could do more. Would 30 Astea Snails be effective? I've considered putting all the corals in the fuge (where there is no abnormal algae despite a kessil 360 being on it) and throwing a blanket on the tank for a couple days....thoughts?

Thanks

What test kits are you using for Nitrate and Phosphates? Seems odd to have a fairly new tank with a 0 reading on both. Keep in mind you will get false readings if you have plenty of algae. Your phosphates will be eaten by the algae but once the algae is removed it is now in your water column.

Be patient and do your regular scheduled water changes and it should go away once the rock has released all its phosphates.

Snails and crabs will help keep it in check but it won't go away until your tank has matured and the phosphates are low. Reducing the light will also help but again killing the algae with no light will release the phosphates into your water column.

In my opinion the best thing you can do is have patience. Let it mature.

 

[outy]

Sounds like Dino's which on a new tank is semi normal. As bacteria levels rise it should take care of itself, PROVIDED water conditions are not sliding downhill

Brown diatom algae from silicates is also normal

 

[kirkaz]

What test kits are you using for Nitrate and Phosphates? Seems odd to have a fairly new tank with a 0 reading on both. Keep in mind you will get false readings if you have plenty of algae. Your phosphates will be eaten by the algae but once the algae is removed it is now in your water column.

Be patient and do your regular scheduled water changes and it should go away once the rock has released all its phosphates.

Snails and crabs will help keep it in check but it won't go away until your tank has matured and the phosphates are low. Reducing the light will also help but again killing the algae with no light will release the phosphates into your water column.

In my opinion the best thing you can do is have patience. Let it mature.

I use API

My iphone just can't get a decent picture, the color is much more of a light brown, not sure why the camera is purpleing it out.:mad2:

 

[outy]

brown colored GHA

 

[monkeysee1]

Get some Rowa Phos, put it in your reactor, THREE DAY BLACKOUT - and presto!! NO MORE DINO!!!


Worked for ME!!!

Oh - and BTW - KEEP the Rowa Phos in there if you don't want this pest to come back knocking on your door!

:fun2: