[salttanker]

I have a new 90 Gallon fish only salt tank and it's been setup for about 2 weeks now. The only thing I have in there are 2 damsels. My setup right now is 2 fluval 404's, 2 powerheads and waiting on the protein skimmer. In the meantime, I have to clean the tank walls everyday to get this stuff off of there, and not to mention the build up on the coral itself. Do you know what might be causing this to happen? Would a protein skimmer remove this crap out of the tank? I'm not sure what is causing this problem, but it's annoying. I am new to this, so any help would be great. Thanks

Mike

[Penguin]

The brown algae are likely diatoms. It is completely normal to see a lot of them in a newly set up tank. They should disappear on their own in time. You might consider adding some hermit crabs or snails to eat the algae, if your future livestock choices will be compatible with them.

Setting up a protein skimmer would definitely be good idea though for maintaining your water quality over the long run.

[salttanker]

ok..I can live with that for now..would you suggest using Arrowhead water since it's RO to use in the tank to help prevent future algae?

[Penguin]

That's up to you. Tap water could be fine for FO depending on your supply. I'd just use tap unless I knew there was a problem. You are going to see different types of algae showing up in a new setup regardless. You can test your tap water for nitrate and phosphate to where your levels are at.

[salttanker]

Thanks Penguin. Would you recommend Red Slime Remover, or Silicate remover to correct the conditions I currently have within my tank? I have heard Red Slime Remover works well, and is safe for fish. I just want to get someone's input on it before I run out and get it.

Thanks,

Mike

[Juvv]

hey, just so you know, most of the time algae goes through stages, it will start off brown, then that algae will slowly die off, then green algae will manifest, then after a while red / pink algae will grow

[Penguin]

Hey salttanker,

I would not recommend Red Slime Remover at this point. That particular product is actually an antibiotic, and though it is supposed to be safe for your livestock and nitrifying bacteria, it will only eliminate cyanobacteria (usually a red, very dark green, bluish green, or almost black algae that presents as a mat-like growth mainly on the sand). Other algae types will be unaffected by the RSR.

Your tank is so new, just ride out the algae blooms--it's all part of the normal cycle.