Brown stringy algae causing tank crash

Skujio · 05/19/2017, 07:07 PM

So the last few weeks have been hell watching my tan decline as I try to find a solution to this problem. I'm not sure if these algae are Diatoms, Cyano, or Dinoflagellates as they differ from dark brown to dark red. My parameters go as follows.

pH- 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5ppm
Phosphate- Unknown as I'm using a shitty API test kit. But I am running a GFO reactor.
Alk 7-8 DKH
Calc 440ppm
Tank is 6 months old
Always use RO/DI

This nuisance started popping up right after I deep cleaned my sump and added new macro. I also changed from 24 hr refugium lighting to reverse photo period as I'm now using chaetomorpha. If anyone could think of a cause and solution to this problem it could really save my tank.

Lsufan · 05/19/2017, 07:10 PM

Can u post a picture so people can see what u have. It really depends what it is to know what the best treatments are because it will be different between all 3.

I wouldn't think its diatoms so hopefully for your sake it's cyno & not Dino.

Skujio · 05/19/2017, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsufan

Can u post a picture so people can see what u have. It really depends what it is to know what the best treatments are because it will be different between all 3.

I wouldn't think its diatoms so hopefully for your sake it's cyno & not Dino.

Ill be sure to get a picture of it tommorow when the light come on.

Heuristic · 05/19/2017, 10:01 PM

Does it look like snot?

If so, I would recommend stoppping this

Quote:

Phosphate- Unknown as I'm using a shitty API test kit. But I am running a GFO reactor.

It's Dino and strives in an environment with no phosphates. If your chaeto is not growing and this brown stringy stuff is, then it's definitely Dino and it's beating your chaeto out in the nutrients battle.

Skujio · 05/19/2017, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heuristic

Does it look like snot?

If so, I would recommend stoppping this

It's Dino and strives in an environment with no phosphates. If your chaeto is not growing and this brown stringy stuff is, then it's definitely Dino and it's beating your chaeto out in the nutrients battle.

Never thought I'd run into Dino till today. I looked it up and its exactly what my problem is. Taking off GFO now and looking up a few solutions, thanks!👍

05/19/2017, 07:07 PM	#1
Skujio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 54	Brown stringy algae causing tank crash So the last few weeks have been hell watching my tan decline as I try to find a solution to this problem. I'm not sure if these algae are Diatoms, Cyano, or Dinoflagellates as they differ from dark brown to dark red. My parameters go as follows. pH- 8.4 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5ppm Phosphate- Unknown as I'm using a shitty API test kit. But I am running a GFO reactor. Alk 7-8 DKH Calc 440ppm Tank is 6 months old Always use RO/DI This nuisance started popping up right after I deep cleaned my sump and added new macro. I also changed from 24 hr refugium lighting to reverse photo period as I'm now using chaetomorpha. If anyone could think of a cause and solution to this problem it could really save my tank.

05/19/2017, 07:10 PM	#2
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	Can u post a picture so people can see what u have. It really depends what it is to know what the best treatments are because it will be different between all 3. I wouldn't think its diatoms so hopefully for your sake it's cyno & not Dino.