brown algae or diatoms

[White Hair]

3-4 month old reef tank, noticed brown substance on the sand, looked on you tube found two different answers, brown algae and diatoms, is there a difference between the two, and how do i get rid of one or the othe, thanks

 

[Idoc]

3-4 month old tank seems about right for diatoms in a new tank. They are present when there are silicates in the system. This could be from your sand...or if toy aren't using RODI water. If diatoms, they are self limiting and go away when the silicates are used up. Keep your no3/po4 present in the system while it's young to keep dinos from proliferating.