algae question

[Scott Blackburn]

I am new to the board and have some questions about my new setup. My tank has been up for about a week now and my LR is starting to turn a reddish brown. My sand is also starting to turn a little brown in some places. What type of algae is this and what will get rid of it. My tank is a 13 gallon with a built in CPR backpak skimmer, lighting is provided by 1-27watt 6700K PC and 1-9 watt 7100K actinic PC. I do not have anything but 13lbs of LR and 20lbs of LS in the tank right now, what creatures would be the best sand sifters in this size setup. Also what 1 or 2 fish could I keep comfortably in this size setup? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Drew]

You've got a powerful skimmer on that size tank so this shouldn't be too bad. Just like Johnny said, good water movement, some clean-up critters, and good source water and it will eventually go away. As for the CA being low, I really wouldn't worry about that right now since you (hopefully) don't have any calcium demanding corals.
The fish. Fish commonly kept in aquariums this size include A. percula or A. Ocellaris clownfish, many small blennies, jawfish, gobies, and small damseles. HTH.

Drew

[ 06-25-2001: Message edited by: Drewman ]

[Scott Blackburn]

Thanks for the reply. No I don't have any corals yet so I am not worried about the calcium. I did read somewhere however that the high Phosphates may promote algae growth. Is this true? Also, what cleanup critters would you recommend, (what kind of snails, which crab would be best, should I add a shrimp to the tank? Thanks for the help.

[Beaches]

Nice to know someone else is new to all this too! I'm having the same problem, at least I think it's the same...my brown algae is on the rock, and sides of the tank has a "hair like" appearance on the glass. Is it time now for me to add some "cleaners?" By the way...Spotty (domino damsel) is doing just fine, boy is he/she fast! Water quality/readings are good. What type of "cleaners" would be good to add...my tank is only 10g, I have 3 pieces of liverock, and 2 decorative pieces. I also noticed on my liverock that I have a little something (?) growing--it's kinda purpleish in color and is shaped like a flower w/long thin petals...any ideas? Thanks for all the help!

[Drew]

Hello again,

Yes phosphates will promote algae growth, but the phosphate levels should go down eventually with good source water and good skimming. As for clean-up crew, I would recommend go to Indo-Pacific Sea Farm's website (www.IPSF.com) and check out their 9 for $99 deal, all the snails there are good for cleaning up algae. I have in my tank Turbo, Trocus, and Strombus snails. I would stay far away from hermit crabs, or any kind of crab for that matter. I have about 20 or so crabs in my tank and they are one of the biggest mistakes I have made thus far. They knock down frags, may or may not kill snails, and eat many of the sand-bed animals we try so hard to keep alive in our tanks.

Beaches, I would recommend the same thing to you as I did sdbdrz. The thing growing on your LR sounds to me like one of the rarer types of coraline algae. Got a pic? HTH.

Drew

[Drew]

Beaches, is the organism growing hard or soft?

[Beaches]

It seems to be soft (sways w/the water). The brown stuff is soft too, but easy to wipe off the glass. So, I'm assuming this part of the normal cycling process--just the yucky part?

[dark horge]

The brown stuff with long tentacles: does it retract/shrivel when touched? If so then you may have an anemone on your hands.

But if it does not retract on contact, as I suspect, then you have a macroalgae of the filamentous sort (tough to ID at this point, haha)

Indeed, you and sdbdrz will likely see all manner of macroalgae sprouting from spores or algal fragments hitchhiking on live rock. Once higher algae are in place and using up available phosphate, the diatoms fade from view.

You can actually purchase macroalgae if you wish, to lock up phosphates, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The principle there is what is called an 'algal filter', and the alga is trimmed and the trimmings discarded regularly, to 'export' the locked-up nutrients from the tank. Or you can just let the alga grow and grow (so if you obtain an alga, know its growth rate too!)

Choose macroalgae for looks and how aggressively it grows. Halimeda opuntia --is my favorite alga for small tanks: medium growth rate, handsome bright green, not a calcium hog like the larger-disc Halimedas.

have fun

horge

[ 06-25-2001: Message edited by: dark horge ]

[MontanaRocknReefer]

By what you are describing I would say you have brown diatoms. This is quite common in a new tank. You need to get a sand activator kit and Indo Pacific Sea Farms has one of the best for infauna(critters)for you DSB. Add a few snails and maybe l hermit crab. Don't over do it with the snails because too many you end up with nothing for the snails to eat and alot will starve. People get alot of snails because they do not exercise PATIENCE AND THAT'S THE KEY!
You can blow the diatoms off your rocks with a turkey baster. Make sure you have plenty of water circulation in your tank as well. Others will come on with more information as well but everything will be fine and it will go away.
One quick question. What kind of water are you putting in your tank. Is it tap water or RO/DI water? Johnny

[Scott Blackburn]

I am using Distilled water. The only problem I have with water quality right now is the Phophates are a little high and the Calcium is a little low. I did a 2 gallon water change last night, other than that I am not adding anything to the water at this point. Thanks for your help.

[hamburglar]

Did you leave the lights off on the tank for a few weeks, or is it really a 1 week old setup with the lights on ?

[Scott Blackburn]

Yes it is a 1 week old setup. I went out last night and bought 4 turbo snails and 2 blue leg hermits, they seem to be cleaning the algae off of the rocks. Thanks for your reply

[hamburglar]

Those turbo snails will do a good job.

You might want to let it sit like it is for a couple of weeks before you add all of your fish. Clowns and Damsels are pretty hardy but your water quality might be a little out of control if you don't let the tank cycle a little bit. I know it's hard to wait.

Your tank sounds like one of those high $$ CPR tanks I was looking at !

Have Fun