[MattieFingaz]

I'm going to be a virtual tutorial with all my questions and problems and I'm so thankful that I found this forum.

With that being said...

I've recentlly completed the cycling of my 75g FOWLR. I just added 2 clowns and a green chromis about 4-5 days ago...water levels are all spot on.

My problem is I'm developing this brown dusting on the tops of my rocks and on portions of the substrate. From doing my research (which, believe it or not, I do before I run here with questions) I think it's a brown diatom algae. Should I be afraid of this or will it eventually go to green then coralline? I don't have a protein skimmer yet, is that killing me?

I have my lights (2x 65w 12,000k daylight, 2x 65w 03 actinic and 4 moonlight LED's) on this schedule. Moonlights always on. Actinic's on for 2 hours, then daylights on with them for 8, then actinic's on for 2 more hours. Trying to simulate dawn, day, dusk cycle. Could the lights being on a 12 hour cycle like this cause any undo problems for me with this?

As usual, thanks everyone for taking there time to help. I'll make sure I pass on where I can.

Mattie

[passinetti2007]

I know I'm no where near an expert, and I'm hardly a newbie, but I've got the same stuff on my (tiny in comparison to your) tank and my LFS said it is normal to get brown algae. It's a sign of a good developing tank they said. I would recommend a skimmer. If I had the money for a 75 gal, I'd have it in my tank during the cycling. From what I hear skimmers are very important to any tank. I choose not to have one in mine because I do water changes every week since its so small of a tank. I hope I'm helping people I am learning so I guess that qualifies me to speak my mind right?

[robe25m]

Same stuff, I was told this is good, I was told this really is the start of my dry rock turning LIVE..So i will take that as a good thing.

[glampka]

Check out this link to About.com on algae problems. Lists what to do with a diatom bloom:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...ticle%26id%3D1

[ericwebster]

If you have a new tank this is totally expected and the bloom will slowly go away assuming that you're using clean water.

If your water is full of phosphates (tap/well water) or your feeding flake food which has phosphates in it -- you may be battleing this stuff forever.

[volitan_fa]

A skimmer would probably help the diatom bloom pass....but just waiting it out is the common treatment for new tanks. It should pass in the near future as other algaes take over!

[crazygator]

this is a common occurance in new tanks as they begin to get that "lived-in" look. a skimmer isn't a necissity but would not hurt. as this grows you will start getting the algae on the glass. leave it on the back for grazing purposes, and camo.

[PalmDesert]

I have a 55 gal uni aquarium which has been up and running for about 18 months. I too have a bloom of diatom. I clean the acrylic and 12 hours later the diatom is like a blanket on everything. I do regular maintenance and have media carbon with special media to reduce phosphates and silicants. I have a skimmer. I am beginning to suspect that it might be the salt. I use Red Sea Salt especially formulated for RO water. I find a layer of what looks like diatom/calcuim in the bottom of the bucket in which I mix the salt with RO water. I did an experiment and purchased RO water from 2 different dealers, mixed the salt in 2 different buckets with powerheads and still had the same result. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Six-line Wrasse]

Diatoms are typically a post-cycle algae that gradual disappears never to reappear. When you're parameters are reading 0ppm for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, add a clean-up crew and you should see your diatom algae problem fade away in a week or so.

Diatom algae blooms are VERY VERY common para- and post- cycle.

[rlcline76]

Hey PD, I am using phosguard for filter media. I tested for silicates, but nothing was showing up. I do have phosphates and that seems to be driving the problem. It has done well for my QT tank, but still waiting to see results on the 20 gallon. Will check in a few days. Do you have any snails that might help tidy up. Sometimes it is tough to get the glass looking clean, but the snails do wonders on the LR.

How long are your lights running for?

[kolokefalo]

Once the tank is done cycling remove the carbon altogether. Remove all phosphate pouches as well. Run the skimmer and if you don't have a sump make a prefilter for your skimmer DYI. The brown diatom will be gone in less than a week, and so will your phosphates.

[PalmDesert]

Hi!
I have a full cleaner crew. Because this is an established tank I think the problem is caused by something being introduced into the tank. I have had the diatom problem for over a month.

[Lowej82]

is this the stuff that grows looking like brwn hair? mine is starting to fade off after 2 weeks

[NYreefNoob]

it more than likely is diatom algea. it come's from having high phosphates. and someone said a skimmer isnt neccessary. well thats completely wrong. a skimmer pull's most of the junk out of the water, fish poop ect. do you plan to get corals or keep it as a fowler only ? if so shrim snails and hermit's are out. most semi aggressive fish will eat them. it's parts of the cycle but over feeding will cause it also as well as too much light. what are you using for water flow ?

[Lowej82]

i still have a basic setup, I plan on doing some corals and so on, I have the hang on filter for a 55 gal on my 29 which seems to keep water clear and moving, how ever i think i ma have to get a power head because I have deadspots which tend to have stuff build up in them. I plan on getting a skimmer, MOST of the brown looking hair is disapearing now and looks as if there is gonna be a deep to bright green color apearing on surface of my LR where this ugly brown stuff was, would it be worth me switching from my standard hood light up to a 50/50 until i am able to get something like a compact or mh? im thinking atleast the 50/50 would help out with the purple algae and so on the rock work? totaly new in this.

[NYreefNoob]

don't waste money on stuff you plan to buy better of, just wait and buy the right stuff. as for the purple stuff it is called coraline, you need to seed the tank with it. if you can buy a small rock with it already there it will help. dont buy purple up either. dosing with 2 part is the best other than a calcium reactor. i myself use the evs 2 part. you need to get calcium up. here's an idea of equipment on my tank
62g tank 24g sump, 6 t5's 2 modified tunze nano 6025's {best bang for the buck} apr 70lb's of live rock in tank and 20 lb's in sump. running a modded asm 3 skimmer, 2 little fish's phosban reactor, second of the same but running carbon in it. my return has 2 outlet's with a hydor on the end of each. ton of snails hermit's 2 starfish. 4" deep sandbed. and probably other stuff, but here's a picture

[Lowej82]

Now that most of the (what we think ) is brown diatom algae is gone im getting the purple coraline? i think thats it? and some bright to deep green, and a lil pink & orange. getting a light upgrade soon so I can get some coral. think im going to get a red & yellow gargo..sumthing and a bubble tip ani... w/e