Help. I can't figure this one out

T

Tactical Medic

I set up my tank Jan 15,2007. I added LR, It cycled, we added some small fish, but no great tank load. We wanted to change the look, so I added another 50 lbs or so of cured LR and everyone was happy. I got my calcium reactor and installed it about 3 weeks ago. Since then the tank has a brownish substance ( some might call it red algae but it is redish brown or rust color) all over it. That's sand, LR, everywhere. We have done water changes, tested everything we can think of, ran 2 doses of red algae remover thru it and it is still growing like mad. We did a water change the other day and I filtered it of the top of the sand and brush what I could on the rocks. The next morning it was back. If you cover it with sand, in the morning it is back. I have 2 pumps going with good water flow in the tank. Any ideas?
 
also, remember your tank is newly set up?...It will go thru the normal stages of "algea attacks". This may be one. Most, if not all, new tanks will experience this.
 
It seem you have a large tank with only two pumps. You are lacking waterflow in your tank plus your tank is till probably going through the growing pains of a new tank setup.
 
So if I purchased two of the Vortex pumps that I am signed up for on the GB, then that should stop the problem? This stuff kind of retracts in the sand at night but comes back full strength during the day. It is all over the LR and everything.
 
Until you get the flow / nutrient issue taken care of, you can siphon this stuff out with rigid tubing connected to flexible tubing ran into a filter sock in your sump. Vaccum the rocks and sand of most of it, and you'll be exporting the nutrients that they need to survive, too.
 
Vacuumed the stuff out one night and it was back it the morning. Can't vacuum off of the LR cause it is on there good, brush off what I can, but it comes right back. Have tested everything I can think of and all are within normal limits.
 
Rubber band a new toothbrush to the end of the rigid siphon hose. That way when you brush it off the LR, it gets sucked up and out.
 
Sounds like diatom algae to me. Try reading this http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/algaecontrol/a/aa091100.htm
 
@Tactical Medic wrote:
I set up my tank Jan 15 said:
Definitely flow better flow.... what kind of sand bed do you have? A deep or shallow one?

Since your bioload is so low and you didnt mention any corals... I would go lights off for 3 days and see if that helps. That in addition to the flow should help.

You need to ID what you have though, there are three things that I it sounds like, diatoms, cyno (red bacteria) or dynos.

Do you have any snails or inverts? If so, are they all accounted for, meaning none of them are dying off on you at this time or since this stuff appeared?
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@Tactical Medic wrote:
We have a few soft corals said:
Gotcha.. well then I would say start with reduced lightening periods first. Cut your light time in half to start for a few days and see if that helps reduce it some. If you notice no change, go one day off and see.

Your softies and zoos should be fine, but its always best to go slow when making lighting changes like that.
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Lights out should help. What is the current PO4 reading?
 
At this point there is not a stupid question. I use RO/DI water with TDS of 001. First thing I thought it might be was Phosphates but they test <.25.
 
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