dave.brandon7

hello again just a quick question

my saltwater FOWLR is reaching the end of its cycle and my brightly coloured crushed coral is starting to turn brown, I'm pretty sure this is brown algea as I had this in my freshwater during the cycle. I did get shut of by doing a complete gravel change. I am aware that during the cycle it is very common to get brown algae and apparently it does eventially go away. i have put phosphate removal peat in the sump so hopefull that will help

my question is; if/when it goes away will it completly disapear, will my crushed corals look bright like they used to?

thanks
Dave

mike67

How long are your lights on?

nemo addict

It is diatoms , this will then turn to green algae then to red algae then hopefully to coraline

dave.brandon7

**** thanks for the replies sorry i'm late getting back to you.

my lights are on between 12 and 14 hours a day. i know this may be too long when algae is concerned, but i was under the impression that brown algae or diatoms are not actually algae and dont require much light. thats the reson there on so long, to help promote the green algae and so the brown a green compete for nutrition and starve them selves. this maybe wrong i dont no.

I am just hoping that when the tank finishes cycling will it completly vanish, and if it does how long after the cycle will this happen?

thanks

Shawnie

diatoms are a "new tank" kinda algae..ive NEVER had mine turn to green algae...maybe others have ....diatoms will go away with time and dont hurt anything but the humans who seem to think it looks ugly......some tanks will even have it up to a year or so ....dont worry about it ..I also leave my lights on for a good 10-12 hours a day....

dave.brandon7

well i hope i dont have it for a year. ive got phosphate romovel peat in the sump, i dont no if anybody has ever used it and had success, i hope so. ive also got realy cloudy water it came about at the same time as the diatoms, about 3 days ago. the tank is nearly cycled my nitrites are coming down so wont be long now

Shawnie

maybe you could fill in your aquarium info under my settings? it would help offer more advice knowing where you started and what products you use....without knowing tank parimeters and stock of the fish in the tank, its all a guessing game..but with diatoms, and now cloudyness, id say your tank is only a few weeks old....

EDIT: just realized this is a salt water tank.and im clueless on salties......not sure if the same information works for salties..but filling in your information can do wonders for advice either way good luck!

dave.brandon7

yes it is a new tank only 2 weeks old its cycling quickly nearly done not like my fresh water that took 8 weeks. ive filled my details in now so hopefully that helps.