Algae Consequences of high TDS

[djbetterly]

My previous apartment I could run my RODI for a year or more without ever changing the DI Resin, so I didn't really think much of it at my new place. Well I was wrong, new place blew through DI Resin in about 4-5mo (ignorance on my part for not checking). As a consequence I now have a lot of brown algae on the sand bed. I'm continuously blowing it around with a turkey baster but it comes back strong in a few days. I'm also running GFO and my phos is .08, nitrates are at 0.

My lights are two XR15 Pro's set to the Ecotech Coral Lab SPS AB+ profile which has a lot of blue. In the past I've always noticed that brown algae would pop up more when the blues run too long. My schedule brings the lights on at 10am and off at 5pm.

I do think there is a direct correlation between the high TDS and the blue lights.

A few notes, I run the Triton system and my ATO is plumbed directly into my RODI (a lot of safety measures with solenoids in addition to ATO controller - hard lessons learned).

Calcium 400
Alk 8.5
Sal 1.026
PO4 .08
Nitrates 0

Any advice for getting rid of the brown algae on the sand bed?

 

[Cory]

Brown algae is likely diatoms. Reverse osmosis is poor at removing silicates. Its probably getting into your tank.

 

[lion king]

Second silicates to be a leading suspect; try a media that removes silica

 

[djbetterly]

The GFO I use is Rowaphos which is supposed to remove silicates. Maybe I just need to give it more time.

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

Turn off GFO and try some Seachem SeaGel till it clears up.

 

[Cory]

Aluminum oxide works better for silicate than gfo.