Brown Algae

[paul01]

I have a 20 gallon reef tank tried frequent water changes tried having the light on for less amount of time still seems to come back any help please

 

[beaslbob]

kill the lights completely and add macro algae in a refugium.
my .02

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How old is this tank?

 

[paul01]

1 1/2 months old

 

[Bunnee911]

Congratulations on your cycle. Diatoms.

 

[smpolyp]

Diatoms use silicate like we use calcium for our bones. Reducing the silicates removes more of their building structure. Bad news is silicate is one of the hardest things to remove from water. Good R.O.D.I. water helps.
My guess is it looks more like weak cyano bacteria. Flow across the bottom for degassing. If it persist beaslbob advice on lights out is great advice.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Diatoms like this in a tank that new is a good indicator your cycle is complete. Make sure not to use treated tap water as silicate is a common additive to tap water as a corrosion inhibitor to preserve pipelines. The silicates can fuel diatoms....

Otherwise congrats, your tank has its roots planted