[knockout]

Hi everyone, I am having a serious algae problem since I got my MH (2*150w @10k) lighting (I think that is when I started noticing it) its brown sand looking fluff, I really can't explain it so here is a picture, if anyone can identify and give me any ideas how to get rid off it, its really depressing I can't even see the purple on the rocks any more
just completed a 3 days lights out period and I have change my MH lights to a 7 hour cycle only Actinic still 12 hours.
thanks.
click to enlarge

[SouthBayPhoto]

Gotta love that stuff! (totally kidding)

Well, when you find out, let me know what it is. LOL I have the same thing on my LR, but I'm only running a 2 bulb 36" fixture. (30W/ea - running 15 hrs actinic & 13 hrs 10k light)

So maybe it's something else?

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

I moved your post into the reef discussion forum where this may get an answer.

I've not come across this before. However, all the aquariums I have direct contact with have a variety of marine fishes that may not allow such a growth (i.e., the fish eat and/or cleanup crew eats this). It may conceivabley be detritus build up clinging to the rock, as far as I know. Good luck!

[Reefland]

It is really hard to see what it might be from the picture. Did having the lights off for that period of time have any effect on it? Is lighting the only thing that changed?

[knockout]

yes, lighting was the only new item, since then I removed a canister filter but I've seen no change, the lights out period did not help this specific algae growth but I've read that it works wonders with red brown algae, I will be adding a complete cleaning crew by the end of the week see if that helps.

[knockout]

Ok, FYI...

its looking better...

I've added a combo of ~100 snails and hermits and 3 urchins, also replaced the bulb on my UV sterilizer which had been dead for a while, after 4 days the rocks are looking cleaner and the brown fluff seems to be loosing its footing on the rock, I think the UV is helping kill the food souce for the algae and the cleaning crew is helping in the removal of the algae from the rock

[Nikki]

Knockout,

How many gallons is your tank? I have a 5 month new tank and have the same type of stuff growing all over my LR, but the color on mine seems to be a darker brown. I would post a picture, but I have discovered my digital camera does not seem to be capable of capturing a clearly focused pic in my tank :-(

I have recently introduced a cleanup crew and they are certainly making a dent in the stuff. I did not get anywhere near the number of individuals for the CUC that you did so I was wondering your tank size? I was also wondering what in the world this CUC is going to eat once they eat all the algae???

Thanks!

[knockout]

75 Gal, 100lbs LR, good luck

[Doodaa]

I too have this stuff growing in my tank and I also noticed it after I added MH lighting. I just recently installed an MR2 protein skimmer and am hoping it will help, but it hasn't been running a week yet, so I have no info on that. My algae is a lot thicker than your picture and even grows on my green star polyp and it is suffering.

I'm curious if the UV sterilizer is still working as I am contemplating purchasing one for the same reason. I worry that the UV will kill beneficial organisms (if there are any).