Help with identifying algae

[ReefNoobs]

Hello everyone! New to reefing and finished cycling my tanks roughly two weeks ago now. On about week 6-7 of this new tank and saw these brown spots on my rocks, but nothing on the sand bed. I know I am supposed to prepare myself for diatoms, but these do not look like them based on pictures I have looked at. Any help on what these might be would be great. Also can I attack the problem now and get rid of them? If so what is the best method?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone! New to reefing and finished cycling my tanks roughly two weeks ago now. On about week 6-7 of this new tank and saw these brown spots on my rocks, but nothing on the sand bed. I know I am supposed to prepare myself for diatoms, but these do not look like them based on pictures I have looked at. Any help on what these might be would be great. Also can I attack the problem now and get rid of them? If so what is the best method?

Thanks for all the help!

These brown spots are diatoms which most always show up when a tank is cycled and are harmless and feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Tap water is also a cause. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. To prevent their growth, do regular water changes, keep the sand clean, don’t overfeed and assure your skimmer is running at best performance level and rinse filter socks and sponges on a regularly. reduce white intensity a little also.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

 

[ReefNoobs]

These brown spots are diatoms which most always show up when a tank is cycled and are harmless and feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Tap water is also a cause. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. To prevent their growth, do regular water changes, keep the sand clean, don’t overfeed and assure your skimmer is running at best performance level and rinse filter socks and sponges on a regularly. reduce white intensity a little also.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

Thanks so much for your speedy response! It's a small 25g tank and the cleaner crew I have so far are two nassarius snails and two hermit crabs. Just been kind of adding as I go. I will pick up some of the recommended snails you mentioned tomorrow! Using RODI water in the tank of course and have been doing weekly 20% water changes. Is it okay to take a tooth brush or bristle brush to the rock work right now then?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks so much for your speedy response! It's a small 25g tank and the cleaner crew I have so far are two nassarius snails and two hermit crabs. Just been kind of adding as I go. I will pick up some of the recommended snails you mentioned tomorrow! Using RODI water in the tank of course and have been doing weekly 20% water changes. Is it okay to take a tooth brush or bristle brush to the rock work right now then?

Nassarius will work in/on the sand