PDA

View Full Version : Unknown brown algae

Toxic Slurpee
02/03/2014, 08:10 AM
Can anyone tell me what this is? It's not the typical stringy brown algae that I've seen before. It's very light and comes off easily, but there's a lot of it. It's on the rocks, sand, overflow, back wall.

I've ran most tests, undetectable PO4/Nitrate (guessing this is a false positive).

The water column has even become slightly cloudy. I've done four 20% water changes in the last 2 weeks to combat this.

I'm running a Reef Octopus nwb-150 skimmer and a Bulk Reef Supply dual GFO/Carbon unit. Pictures below:

http://i.imgur.com/kZa3lFN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ILPaCwf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BWASUY3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1qHIYCg.jpg
Toxic Slurpee
02/03/2014, 05:58 PM
Bump, anyone? =/
cmof29
02/03/2014, 06:05 PM
Looks like diatoms in the first pic to me. How old is your tank?
ridetheducati
02/03/2014, 07:08 PM
Are you carbon dosing? Looks like a combination of diatoms and excessive bacteria. The bacteria is binding the diatoms.
Toxic Slurpee
02/03/2014, 08:03 PM
Looks like diatoms in the first pic to me. How old is your tank?

2 years old.

Are you carbon dosing? Looks like a combination of diatoms and excessive bacteria. The bacteria is binding the diatoms.

Yes I run a 2 stage GFO/Carbon Unit.

--

What's the solution for bacteria? More water changes?

For the record, I have 2 tanks in my house, using the same RO/DI water source, the other tank is pristine at the moment. I'm no stranger to algae but I've never dealt with such a pervasive & aggressive brown like this before.
ridetheducati
02/03/2014, 10:22 PM
2 years old.



Yes I run a 2 stage GFO/Carbon Unit.

--

What's the solution for bacteria? More water changes?

For the record, I have 2 tanks in my house, using the same RO/DI water source, the other tank is pristine at the moment. I'm no stranger to algae but I've never dealt with such a pervasive & aggressive brown like this before.

What is the carbon source, vodka, vinegar, biopellets?
Decadence
02/04/2014, 01:25 AM
That looks like dinoflagellates to me. :-X
Toxic Slurpee
02/04/2014, 10:29 PM
What is the carbon source, vodka, vinegar, biopellets?

Bulk Reef Supply Premium ROX Carbon.

That looks like dinoflagellates to me. :-X

Ugh I hope not =[
ridetheducati
02/05/2014, 08:20 AM
Bulk Reef Supply Premium ROX Carbon.



Ugh I hope not =[

To clarify, you are not carbon dosing. Carbon dosing is the process of adding a carbon source, such as vodka and vnegar to the system in order to grow bacteria. The bacteria consumes nutrients and a strong skimmer removes it from the system.

ROX is activated carbon not to be confused with carbon dosing.
skinsfan1
02/05/2014, 09:45 AM
Looks like dino's to me also. Is there small bubbles in your sand bed or in the algae strings at all??
ridetheducati
02/05/2014, 01:17 PM
Do your snails or fish eat the "material"? If not, I am leaning more towards dinos. Dinos are toxic and generally will kill snails if they eat the material.

If this turns out to be dinos, I feel for you. I had dinos several years ago, it was so bad snails would die within days. It may have taken 6-9 months to get rid of it. Every month I would try to introduce a couple of snails to the system just to see if I was out of the woods. Dinos have been known to retire hobbyist.
Toxic Slurpee
02/05/2014, 02:46 PM
Do your snails or fish eat the "material"? If not, I am leaning more towards dinos. Dinos are toxic and generally will kill snails if they eat the material.

If this turns out to be dinos, I feel for you. I had dinos several years ago, it was so bad snails would die within days. It may have taken 6-9 months to get rid of it. Every month I would try to introduce a couple of snails to the system just to see if I was out of the woods. Dinos have been known to retire hobbyist.

They pretty much ignore most of it. Couple times I've seen little paths on the back wall where it looks like they've been, though I can't say they have eaten it.

I'm taking a sample to my LFS this afternoon.
ridetheducati
02/05/2014, 08:48 PM
They pretty much ignore most of it. Couple times I've seen little paths on the back wall where it looks like they've been, though I can't say they have eaten it.

I'm taking a sample to my LFS this afternoon.

I understand the only way to definitely identify is to use a microscope.
Decadence
02/05/2014, 10:56 PM
I wouldn't both looking too hard into it. You have dinos. Syphon as much of it out as you can. I would syphon out the entire sand bed and keep it bare bottom until you have it under control. Pull your rocks and "swish" them around in a bucket of water to get out all of the detritus, then maybe run a ton of GFO in a reactor. You should be able to beat dinos via phosphate limitation without too much trouble.