Brown Algae?

[Pakman2]

Looking for some help in identifying the brown algae. It seems to be present only on the sand bed in patches. And it seems to only appear when the lights get higher in intensity (40%).

 

[KJ]

Diatoms.

 

[GoPitt88]

I have the same issue. My tank is 3 years mature.

 

[GoPitt88]

Diatoms.

I have the same issue in my 3 year old mixed reef tank. I use RO/DI, and changed the resin a few weeks ago.

 

[KJ]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diatoms.333717/

 

[GoPitt88]

I thought diatoms is something a relatively new tank goes through.

 

[KJ]

Silicate feed diatoms.

 

[Pakman2]

Silicate feed diatoms.

I use RO/DI water. What else has silicates in it that I might be introducing into the tank?

 

[KJ]

@saltyfilmfolks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Feel the stuff. Squish between thumb and fore finger.
Diatoms (common ones) most usually have a feel. A slight texture. Cyano will feel like slime.

Some reefers have reported diatoms even with rodi. Not sure why. The fix was to put a bag of gfo on the intake pump.
This also works to an extent for new tank diatoms. They can also come from new rock and sand added to the tank.

 

[Sallstrom]

I don't think more or less silica in the water makes that much difference. We have tested our tank at work with ICP tests the last four years and seen the Si values go up and down(depending on different things). But I can't say the diatoms have followed the same trends.
My guess is that some good CUC would solve the problem. The best for diatoms IMO are Ctenochaetus tangs.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't think more or less silica in the water makes that much difference. We have tested our tank at work with ICP tests the last four years and seen the Si values go up and down(depending on different things). But I can't say the diatoms have followed the same trends.
My guess is that some good CUC would solve the problem. The best for diatoms IMO are Ctenochaetus tangs.

In older tanks , you’ll have more diverse organisms using said silicate. Many types of sponges for example. (New tank pineapple is an easy example).

I’m all about the chonk for dusty diatoms myself. Cool fish suggestion.

 

[Pakman2]

I have a bag of chemi pure elite in my filter sock. Is that suffice?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have a bag of chemi pure elite in my filter sock. Is that suffice?

I don’t belive it works the same way as gfo does. More like carbon. It attracts organic particles rather than heavy metals and some minerals.

 

[GoPitt88]

Just bought the Seachem Silicate test kit. Should have it Tuesday. Will be curious on what my silicates are in my tap water, out of my RO/DI, then in my salt mix. [emoji106]

 

[GoPitt88]

So I got my test kit today......and tested my RO/DI water, tank water, and tap water. The first two were near zero, while my tap water was approximately 6 mg/L. So I have a 6 stage RO/DI setup, having 2 DI resin canisters. A few weeks ago, I noticed that one of the DI canisters was completely exhausted (color had changed). I’m wondering if Silicates started to leach into my RO/DI water, and I’ve been feeding it to the tank, causing a diatom outbreak. Hmmmm.....

 

[GoPitt88]

So I got my test kit today......and tested my RO/DI water, tank water, and tap water. The first two were near zero, while my tap water was approximately 6 mg/L. So I have a 6 stage RO/DI setup, having 2 DI resin canisters. A few weeks ago, I noticed that one of the DI canisters was completely exhausted (color had changed). I’m wondering if Silicates started to leach into my RO/DI water, and I’ve been feeding it to the tank, causing a diatom outbreak. Hmmmm.....

I’m also going to test my saltwater when I make a batch this Friday for my 10% water change. I use Red Sea Coral Pro. I suspect I won’t have any silicates there either.