Brown carpet diatom algae????????????

1700+ posts Now i know what you do all night when you get off work!!!!!

 

Hi Jenkins
This 4 x 65 watts? are they T5s or PCs ( I know of 54 watt T5s and 80 watts but not seen any 65 watt T5s

what colour temp are the lamps? maybe they are to low, and what you have is standard brown algae and not diatoms at all?

tank set up since December - sounds like a long time for Diatoms not to have been and gone to me , hence I suspect its a different form of algae - a photo would help

what corals are you keeping? as that calcium level is very low
do you test Mag as the 2 are closely linked - if your mag is low, you cant maintain optimum calcium levels , I would bring those 2 up to natural sea water levels anyway

Sorry, mostly questions , but the answers may help find solutions

Steve

 

Yes I study a little here and there. Haven't been on in a while so I hope you get some help here.

 

I can say he has 4 x 54w t5s. Not sure of the temp on them and it is not diatoms. It is brown hair algae that he has a problem with.

 

Thanks Scenario - his 1st post stated 65 watt - hence my enquiry
I believe you know Jenkins? work mates? just reading between the lines

Lighting if the lamps are old or of a poor colour temp that can encourage nuisance algaes

Mag level - I keep my mag at 1500 and my calc is at 460
elevated magnesium levels are not liked by many forms of algae

CUC - whats in there? might be a problem that John Maloney at reef cleaners can assist with by recomending a CUC to help with problem

Steve

 

Sounds almost like dinoflagellates... Do you have any snails? Are they dying too?

 

Which post are you reading that makes you think that?

 

The Koralia 3's are rated at 850gph

 

He has a k3 and another smaller pump.

 

Ive had the lights since jan.
sorry about the 65 watts they are 54!

Two 12000k
two actinics

Ive thought about the lights maybe being the problem but thought i would change bulbs out as last resort considering ive had the problem three months after i purchased the lights. Also as far as the snails dieing i dont think im loosing snails.

corals:

frogspawn
candy cane
hairy mushroom
zoas
xenia
acan

Dont think its enough to deplete calcium as quick as it has!!!!!