brown rust colored algea help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sxmbeach]

help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have brown rust colored algea stuff growing on my sand i thought when i took out my bubble coral that was dying it would clear up and I have a sand sifter that is very shy and obviously not doing it's job so i don't know what to do. help don't even know where to start i have done water chages, the water tests fine and the fish and other corals are happy but this rust algea stuff is reallu annoying, no fuzzy growth its just turnoing the sdand to a very un sightly rust color.

[sxmbeach]

help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have brown rust colored algea stuff growing on my sand i thought when i took out my bubble coral that was dying it would clear up and I have a sand sifter that is very shy and obviously not doing it's job so i don't know what to do. help don't even know where to start i have done water chages, the water tests fine and the fish and other corals are happy but this rust algea stuff is reallu annoying, no fuzzy growth its just turnoing the sdand to a very un sightly rust color.

[goldenmean]

Sounds like diatoms.

What is your water source.
There a lot of threads here on RAG about diatoms

[reefprincess]

yep, sounds like diatoms.....what are your parameters?

[DaveK]

Welcome to RAG!

Is this a new tank? It's not unusual for a new tank to go through a bloom of brown "algae". This is usually a diatom bloom and is nothing to worry about. It will go away.

If it's an established tank, all the advice about controlling nuisance algae applies. Check your water source, reduce nitrates and phosphates, check your carbon source (if used), check your lighting.

PS - It's not necessary to double post. I have merged the two threads.

[MDPinUSA]

Brown or diatom algae is usually the result of lighting and nutrients.

If you have the incorrect lighting, you will keep producing unwanted brown or diatom algae.

If you are using a marine salt that is contaminated with unwanted impurities ... no matter how many water changes you make .... this problem will continue.

If you are adding supplements that are made with low grade ingredients, you are adding impurities that will continue this problem.

If you are using a fresh water source to mix your marine salts that contains phosphates, silicates and/or other undesireable ions, this problem will continue.

1) Check your fresh water source. If you are using tap water, consider purified water (RO or RO/DI).

2) If you are using a marine salt that is well known for producing unwanted algae, step up to a better marine salt.

3) If you are using additives, consider the actual need for such supplements. If additives or supplements are deemed necessary, step up to a high purity brand.

4) Advise your lighting system. If you lights are the incorrect color temperature and/or are old, this can be a prime consideration for your current difficulties.

5) Use the SEARCH function on RAG and do some reading regarding unwanted, brown, diatom algae.

6) Without you providing some basic information regarding your aquarium, it is difficult to have others assist you.

E.g. Fresh water source, lighting, marine salt, additives, etc. I.e. You have to help us, so we can help you.

Good luck.

[Ki11ian]

It sounds to me like what my friend said looks like red slime aka cyanobacteria, which i have all over my tank

[DaveK]

Brown algae is just that brown. Red slime has a very different red or maroon color.

We have an existing thread on red slime, and how to deal with it -
http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...ses-cures.html