[dphilbert]

Ok so my 20 gallon tank has been set up a little over a month and a half and Ive been having a brown algae bloom for a week. I know this is to be expected, but i've done everything in my power to stop it and it just wont stop. All levels are at absolute zero! (Amm, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate), ph is normal 8.2, calcium 420, kh 9. I put in 8 nassarius snails in two sets of four and a sand sifting starfish now. Also pointed the powersweep at the sand and bought a phosphate/silica absorber and put in in the return bubble trap from the skimmer. Nothing has stopped it! Is there anything else I can do? Should I just wait it out? Also 130w pc lights are on 12 hrs a day. I stir up the sand a little in the morning, and by the time I get home (around 4)

[christopher annear]

ive had a tank running for six months now and i cant shake it ither, a friend of mine has had it come and go for two years, i think its somthing to do with the light and the water as when the lights off it stops apearing and also its not on non lit areas under rocks ectra ,so im not much help if their is somthing i would like two know hope thats a small help.

[reefcrazy]

brown algae tends to be a problem with newer saltwater tanks. i started at a 20 gallon and have moved up gradually to a 125 and now are back to a 75 and a 46 bow. The brown algae comes with too much lighting and not enough movement. Your algae will tend to grow where there is less movement and more light. My suggestions are some nasssarius snails(spelling maybe wrong) and some scarlet hermit crabs. Also try reducing your lighting a half hour or so. But it is usual for the bloom but it can be avoided.

And its a long shot but, make sure you dont have direct sunlight on your tank...

[Brians125]

I had this brown algae for 7 month's it goes away.It is ugly but try a Diamond goby he sift's the substrate all day looking for worm's...I have 1 he's a cool fish! Also try weekly water change's..Thats what i do on my 125 reef..
G/L Brian

[dphilbert]

It's almost completely gone away now, not sure if it was the addition of more nassarius snails, the sifting star, or the phosphate/silica reducer in the skimmer bubble catch. Could be a combination I guess, but now i read that my tank is WAY too small for a sifting star so im gonna have to give him back.

[Brians125]

Yes it's way toooo small.....I wouldnt even put a sand siffting star in a 55g or 75 g......100g or larger then yes....Good to hear you beat the brown algae..Some tear the tank down and just forget about salt water all together......Just think clean clean clean and you'll be ok for a small tank....;0)
g/l Brian