brown algae

[scotty57]

I have been running my 55 gal reef tank for about 5 months and still getting brown algae I am at this point using a water purifier cutting down my light time what kind of difference will a ro/di do for me also using cpr w/ built refugium in it have yellow tang,4 chromis,shrimp,blenny,some zoos,torch coral,and a pink tip anemone all doing well suggestions ?

[charlie]

You don't mention any type of skimmer!!! I would check into that. It is a little early in your tanks life for the bioload you have in there, (6 fish). Check into the HOB skimmers, aka the Aqua C Remora pro. I have used them on a couple of my tanks, they are really good little skimmers.
I would also definitly check into an RO/DI unit, most water purifiers don't touch what you actually need to take out of the tap water for it to be pure. HTH

[butch54]

I went thru the brown algae mess a while back also. Drove me crazy ! I finally installed a better skimmer and cut down feeding my fish. After around 2 weeks, the brown goop started coming off my rocks. If you don`t want to invest a-lot into a skimmer, you might also try running some activated carbon once a week or so. A friend of mine had success with his tank this way.

[gqsmoothster]

I second the skimmer need. I was using a cheap skimmer that did just about nothing for 6 months, and then I bought a Remora. This skimmer was worth every penny. I happened to have gotten a great deal on it by buying used (on this forum). Best decision I ever made.