Please can somebody help me identify this?

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

Ever since I’ve had this tank set up, i’ve been struggling with this brown stuff. I’ve recently started using an RODI system as I thought it may be the water. It’s currently reading 1ppm. However, this has made no improvement.
Last time I checked my parameters were good but I just can’t shift this algae. I went to Canada for a few weeks and left my parents in charge and I came back to a clear tank but as soon as I changed the water it came back? The tank has been set up since the back end of October so almost 7 months

Webslinger · May 5, 2020

algae

Retro Reefer · May 5, 2020

Your water should be 0 TDS, algae returning after water change is a indication that something is getting through your RO system. I would recommend getting a water report for your area so you can see exactly what contaminates your dealing with.. you may need to upgrade your RO system.

Retro Reefer · May 5, 2020

BTW.. Welcome to R2R!!

waleedreef · May 5, 2020

please take full picture of full tank first with white light. then you can take close pictures of algae with white light.

also confirm if you algae have bubbles.

what is the color of algae on rocks, is it red or pink? is it different that glass green algae?

Brew12 · May 5, 2020

It looks like diatoms to me. That would imply high silicates.

Jvalle · May 5, 2020

Hi this is did to high silicates in the water . Thx

RooRogers · May 5, 2020

Brew12 said:
It looks like diatoms to me. That would imply high silicates.

Beat me to it haha

jimc40 · May 5, 2020

Yes looks like Dino. Check nitrates and phosphate if you are low try to raise it I keep nitrate at 5-8 and phosphate at .06-.08. If mine get low Dino appears

waleedreef · May 5, 2020

Brew12 said:
It looks like diatoms to me. That would imply high silicates.

silicates coming from food and water sources?

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

Retro Reefer said:
Your water should be 0 TDS, algae returning after water change is a indication that something is getting through your RO system. I would recommend getting a water report for your area so you can see exactly what contaminates your dealing with.. you may need to upgrade your RO system.

Hey, I’ve only just brought the RODI system, i’m sure I set it up correctly i’ve used it for about 10-15 gallons with throwing away the first 3/4. How would I get a water report?

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

Webslinger said:
algae

Thank you

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

waleedreef said:
silicates coming from food and water sources?

Is it possible my salt has high silicates?

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

jimc40 said:
Yes looks like Dino. Check nitrates and phosphate if you are low try to raise it I keep nitrate at 5-8 and phosphate at .06-.08. If mine get low Dino appears

Okay, i’ll check the water again later, how do I raise phosphate and nitrates? And keep them where they need to be?

oliviasmith · May 5, 2020

Brew12 said:
It looks like diatoms to me. That would imply high silicates.

Do silicates still get through the RODI system? If so how do I prevent this?

jimc40 · May 5, 2020

oliviasmith said:
Okay, i’ll check the water again later, how do I raise phosphate and nitrates? And keep them where they need to be?

I have to dose phosphate I am using brightwell neophos now and my nitrate is good. You can also try feeding the tank more and stop water changes. Those are the things I did to get my Dino’s under control. Oh yes I also added a up sterilizer

Miller535 · May 5, 2020

since you just bought the rodi, you were using tap water for most of the 7 months?

Cell · May 5, 2020

Are you cleaning your glass daily? Algae will build up if you arent cleaning it regularly. The glass looks 10x worse than the sand. The sand doesnt look that bad to me. Do some water changes and vacuum the sand. Then cut feeding and/or light for a bit and keep the sand bed stirred either manually or with cuc.

TDS should be zero out of your RODI. Check your DI resin etc...