what is causing this

[michelle jordaa]

hi all i have this brown fluffy algae growing on pumps and struts

kh 9
ph 8
ca 420
mag1300
nit0
nitrate0

pls help i am using nsw

 

[LakeEd]

Michelle,

I would guess that this is a fairly new tank setup?? Say... around the 1 month period??

Looks like your tank is going through the diatom stage. Happens to all new tanks, nothing to worry about. You can help the process to run its course by vacumming out as much of those brown diatoms as you can... but the best thing for them is just time.

 

[michelle jordaa]

hi tank is 4 mnths old been through diatom stage it is a sps tank and i have ati t5 lights going . its a horrile fluffy algae.

 

[thumperss]

what are your watts per gal and how big is your tank

 

[michelle jordaa]

MY TANK IS 600L 1,5M X 600X 600. i have 6 x 54watt t5 ati tubes 2 blue and 4 reef special

 

[salmonslayer]

Get some snails. 55al need 100 and some crabs . Good luck pal. I will take a look when I come over

 

[michelle jordaa]

r u coming over to south africa...cool c u soon....lol

 

[LakeEd]

Michelle,

The more about your system you let us know about, the better information the group here can come up with to hopefully find a solution to your problem.

We now know your tank size and lighting. Thats good. What do you have (or do you) for a skimmer? What are your water test results? What are your feeding habits? What is your tank stocked like? Number and size/type of fish? Corals? Maintenance habits?

Right now though, I wouldn't get into any "Panic" mode. Your tank is still very new at only 4 months old. There are many stages our tanks go through as they work their way to becomming stable for us, and I'm sure what you are seeing now is just one of those stages on its way to being a very rewarding hobby for you!

 

[LakeEd]

By the way... Salmonslayer... I'm always up for a good road trip... take me along with ya when you go to South Africa... okay?

 

[salmonslayer]

10/4 On my way