Brown Algea

[Fatman]

This stuff has seriously taken over, its all over my rocks and in corners that I cant reach with the magnet. The water is still very clear and Ive reduced my lights to 6 hours a day with 1 hour of actenics at start up and shutdown. Ive also done a 10% water change every week. Currently my next step is to get Phosban Reactor and Phosban

( http://www.petsolutions.com/Phosban+Reactor-I-48142292-I-.aspx )

And maybe add some more flow. Anything else I can do?? Will nails eat algea thats on rocks?

[graphixx]

I would get a clean up crew in there. do you have anything in there now like snails or algae eaters??? a lawnmower blenny will work too they are awesome fish. I would increase your flow.

how long has the tank been set up and what do you have in it right now????

[Fatman]

I would get a clean up crew in there. do you have anything in there now like snails or algae eaters??? a lawnmower blenny will work too they are awesome fish. I would increase your flow.

how long has the tank been set up and what do you have in it right now????

The tanks been up for about 2 months, it has a yellow tang hippo tang, maroon and percula clown, firefish goby and engineering goby. My paremeters TODAY checked out all clear (with alkalinity and calcium being a hair low) so I bought two light powerheads and the phosban reactor, I also added 15 snails this afternoon so i'll let you guys know how it looks in the tommorow evening. Wish me luck! :D

[jerryc]

water movement is the biggest help you will have so power heads and sump return
to keep a good flow to me is a must.
You have a lot of fish for a 55 the tangs will get big for a 55. I thank one tang
for a 55 is the limit and some will say that is to much.
Also sounds like you have added to much to fast 2 months is barley long enough
for the tank to mature.

don't mean to sound harsh but I'm afraid you are going to have some problems
coming on if your not careful

Personally id return one of the tangs work on my flow do water changes
weekly. cut back on feeding if your feeding more Thain one time a day
even ever other day will work
you can also vacuum a lot of it out with water changes

The phosban can be a useful tool some use it a lot. Others say not too use it
But i don't thank it will heart and may help.

[Fatman]

Well I already order the two power heads, I agree with the flow, there are "pockets" of still water that needs movement. I wasnt aware of the one tang per 55 gallons, I mean their both really small (2 1/2 inches) and seem quite happy , in the future though I plan to add a 20 gallon refugium to increase my water capcity. I'll have some pics in a few mins cause the snails seem to be doing very well.

[KG]

No offense, but part of your problem is that you are overstocked with fish. A 55 might be considered by some to be the lower limit for one yellow tang but nowhere near long enough for more than one tang. What kind of food are you feeding? Here are some other things that will help with your algae problem:

o feed less less often
o change more water more often
o be sure to use RO/DI or distilled water only with your SW mix
o your lights looks good, but remember most only last 6-12 months and then they start putting out only in the spectrum that algae likes. Also, actinics work best if they come one 1-2 hours before your other lights and then stay on 1-2 hours after the other lights go off
o trun up your skimmer so it produces a wet skimmate instead of a dry foam
o think about adding a fuge where macro algae and mangroves plants can out-compete nuisance algae for nutrients
o consider incorporating a DSB which will help naturally lower your nitrates - another factor fueling algae
o ditch any flake or pellet food since they are loaded with phosphates
o rinse your frozen food well (unless it's a jel) with old SW to remove the "juices" which add to the algae growth
o you can add snails, lawnmower blenny, etc. to help get the algae under control but these do not address the root cause and unless that's done, you will not be successful at keeping a reef; and as a last resort
o add a phosphate binder

Good luck!
KG

[cq28]

Add more snails, you only have 15 in a 55!! Add more flow asap!! Stop buying fish and buy coral!!

[wpspfan]

I have the same problem I got a lawnmower blenny he has been eating non-stop, my tank is three weeks old. I was told that it is normal to have brown algae outbreaks while your tank in maturing, is that true? Also it is really bad in my refugium should I put something in it, I have some LR frags. and some cheato.

[graphixx]

this is all part of the cycle. this is a normal progression in the tank.

[butterfly_babe4200]

Wow lots going on in your tank. I agree that 2 is too many tangs for a 55. That is what I have and they grow pretty fast. I know I wanted 2 also but was advised against it and now I know why Size does matter. Also is mixing kinds of Clowns safe? Are they fighting? Watch them closly!!!! They are not really to be mixed. Hermit crabs help sift the sand and slow algae growth also. Sand sifting sea cucumbers help with sand also.
Good luck

[Fatman]

Wow lots going on in your tank. I agree that 2 is too many tangs for a 55. That is what I have and they grow pretty fast. I know I wanted 2 also but was advised against it and now I know why Size does matter. Also is mixing kinds of Clowns safe? Are they fighting? Watch them closly!!!! They are not really to be mixed. Hermit crabs help sift the sand and slow algae growth also. Sand sifting sea cucumbers help with sand also.
Good luck

The two clowns are very happy from the looks of it, ones small and the maroon is the larger one I'll have some pics of them soon, I got them both an anenome and they share and travel between them. Im doing weekly water changes to keep the water perimeters in check. Also adding calcium/alkalinity daily. Currently the snails are doing a great job, is 15 snails enough for a 55g?

[butterfly_babe4200]

What kind and size snails? That makes a difference. Careful with the Ca+ I ODed my tank bt adding too much too fast. As I said I recommend more then just snails, you need a varity of cleaners to do the job.

[Fatman]

What kind and size snails? That makes a difference. Careful with the Ca+ I ODed my tank bt adding too much too fast. As I said I recommend more then just snails, you need a varity of cleaners to do the job.

I think their the small average size snails, also theres a sand sifting star fish, and a dozen hermit crabs as part of the "cleaner crew". Yes im very careful with the Ca+/Alk to the tank, I add about 15 ml every 2 days (equal parts) seems to be ok and no ODing as of yet, Im still waiting for the calc growth (or w/e the purple stuff is called).