What is this brown fuzzy stuff on my back wall?

Dr. Fish · 08/18/2012, 09:52 AM

Over the last week or so I have noticed this brown fuzzy looking stuff gathering or growing on my back wall. Never seen algae like this, so I'm lost at what it is. I have zero algae and have never had any algae issues since starting up the tank.

Params:
S.G. 1.025 Refractometer
pH 8.05 Reefkeeper
Temp 79F*
Nitrates undetectable Salifert
PO4 0.00 Hannah

Any ideas?

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 10:05 AM

Could be just brown diatoms....You can take a brush pad and clean it off...Do you have a clean up crew ???

Dr. Fish · 08/18/2012, 10:49 AM

I do have a clean up crew, I'm not sure if I see them on the back wall often though.

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 10:52 AM

It wouldn't hurry to get more snails that eat diatoms....... do you use a phosphate reactor?

Dr. Fish · 08/18/2012, 12:07 PM

Nope, no phosphate reactor. I use only carbon in my sump. I seem to have never needed to add GFO, my phosphates slowly came down to 0.00 since I set my tank up a few months ago. Never had an algae problem either.

snorvich · 08/18/2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Fish

. . . my phosphates slowly came down to 0.00 since I set my tank up a few months ago.

Measured how?

Dr. Fish · 08/18/2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

Measured how?

Measured by the Hannah checker I mentioned in my first post.

cloak · 08/18/2012, 02:25 PM

If your parameters are in fact where they should be, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's probably just a phase, and from the looks of your picture the CUC does appear to be eating it. Chek this out.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=60

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 03:07 PM

I would get a phosban reactor. 2 little fishes make a nice one and cheap.

Steve175 · 08/18/2012, 05:47 PM

Normal early tank phase. Make sure you have plenty of flow and are not over-feeding and otherwise don't stress. Use a scrub brush if you don't like the look in the meantime.

08/18/2012, 09:52 AM	#1
Dr. Fish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 129	What is this brown fuzzy stuff on my back wall? Over the last week or so I have noticed this brown fuzzy looking stuff gathering or growing on my back wall. Never seen algae like this, so I'm lost at what it is. I have zero algae and have never had any algae issues since starting up the tank. Params: S.G. 1.025 Refractometer pH 8.05 Reefkeeper Temp 79F* Nitrates undetectable Salifert PO4 0.00 Hannah Any ideas?

08/18/2012, 10:05 AM	#2
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 106	Could be just brown diatoms....You can take a brush pad and clean it off...Do you have a clean up crew ??? __________________ 170 Gal Leemar, Mixed Reef, 60 gal sump, 1350 cad light skimmer, 4 A.I. sol's, 2 mp40, Aquaripure Nitrate Filter, 57Watt Aqua UV, 1/3 Arctica chiller, 2 Drew dosing pumps, Charcoal & Phosban Reactors,

08/18/2012, 10:52 AM	#4
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 106	It wouldn't hurry to get more snails that eat diatoms....... do you use a phosphate reactor? __________________ 170 Gal Leemar, Mixed Reef, 60 gal sump, 1350 cad light skimmer, 4 A.I. sol's, 2 mp40, Aquaripure Nitrate Filter, 57Watt Aqua UV, 1/3 Arctica chiller, 2 Drew dosing pumps, Charcoal & Phosban Reactors,

08/18/2012, 02:25 PM	#8
cloak Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 7,648	If your parameters are in fact where they should be, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's probably just a phase, and from the looks of your picture the CUC does appear to be eating it. Chek this out. http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=60 __________________ "The field mouse is fast, but the owl can see at night." Current Tank Info: 20 gallon DT, 10 gallon sump, 175 watt Hamilton 20K bulb, two 24 watt T5 actinics, Eshopps PSK-75 skimmer, mixed reef

08/18/2012, 03:07 PM	#9
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 106	I would get a phosban reactor. 2 little fishes make a nice one and cheap. __________________ 170 Gal Leemar, Mixed Reef, 60 gal sump, 1350 cad light skimmer, 4 A.I. sol's, 2 mp40, Aquaripure Nitrate Filter, 57Watt Aqua UV, 1/3 Arctica chiller, 2 Drew dosing pumps, Charcoal & Phosban Reactors,

08/18/2012, 10:49 AM	#3
Dr. Fish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 129	I do have a clean up crew, I'm not sure if I see them on the back wall often though.

08/18/2012, 12:07 PM	#5
Dr. Fish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 129	Nope, no phosphate reactor. I use only carbon in my sump. I seem to have never needed to add GFO, my phosphates slowly came down to 0.00 since I set my tank up a few months ago. Never had an algae problem either.

08/18/2012, 05:47 PM	#10
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,130	Normal early tank phase. Make sure you have plenty of flow and are not over-feeding and otherwise don't stress. Use a scrub brush if you don't like the look in the meantime. __________________ Steve. -------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, Deltec AP 1004 skimmer, 400W MH x4, Vortech MP40w x4, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Litremeter 2-part, & huge elec bill