brown growth problem

[ajm]

Im not 100% what this stuff is in my tank but its driving me nuts and seems to be some sort of algea? Awhile back I set up my tank and everything got covered in what appeared to be a brown algea. It appeared as if the rock was SOLID brown you couldnt see an colors on it. I then moved and all of it died off of the live rock and dried up in the tank and was able to be wiped away. Now three weeks after having my tank set back up the rock is starting to get covered in this brown/gold stuff again. Below are pics. Is there any way to prevent or remove this stuff?

[poppin_fresh]

Looks a lot like diatoms. Its a happens to almost all newly set up tanks. It should pass in a little while.

[ajm]

What exactly would diatoms be? A type of algea or similar?

[poppin_fresh]

I believe they're in the bacteria family. Here is an article that talks about silica in the aquarium. About 1/2 way down it talks about diatoms.

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

[MV_ReEfLoVer]

Diatoms for sure.Your tank looks brand new... dont worry its a good sign if its cycling.It mean that you are ready to introduce you first inhabitants(clean up crew).

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by MV_ReEfLoVer
Diatoms for sure.Your tank looks brand new... dont worry its a good sign if its cycling.It mean that you are ready to introduce you first inhabitants(clean up crew).

I agree--what is happening is as the live rock cures it realeases phosphates and nitrates
This is the food for the diatoms. Two things cause them to eventually die off:
they eat up their food supply
the bacteria cycles to the extent that it can take care of the nitrates.

In the mean time check your flow--you should have between 20-40 times the flow rate in your tank.
Rather then straight laminar flow with power heads you might consider korilias--they give you turbulent flow and you can easily direct them to corners of your tank ect where organic "junk" can gather.

[ajm]

I went out and got 3 turbo snails and a peppermint shrimp which will be the first things to be added to the tank. Hopefully everything gets better.

[capn_hylinur]

thats great you started your clean up crew but I hate to say that the snails and shrimp are not going to touch it.

the other thing you can do is a water change--20 per cent.

[ajm]

Alrigh thats cool I guess I will let it go away natrually + water changes. The snails have been in the tank for about two hours now and havent even moved the shrimp is doing great though. Do they take alittle while to get moving around?

[capn_hylinur]

the thing with snails is you have to measure the salinity in the bag from the lfs's--they keep there salinity as low as .018--this can take a lot more acclimitation if your salinity is at .026.
somes times a qt tank is a good idea with a 24 hours to bring up the salinity slowly.

[younglcy]

My turbo snails didn't like that diatom algae, but boy the ceriths and hermit crabs did! Ate every last bit of it.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by younglcy
My turbo snails didn't like that diatom algae, but boy the ceriths and hermit crabs did! Ate every last bit of it.

start off on the right foot here--don't mix hermits and snails.
Eventually the hermits will kill the snails for their shells or just for fun.
The only exception and probalby the best hermit to get is the "fuge hermit"

[uscharalph]

How big a tank? Has the tank finished cycling?

[uscharalph]

It looks like you need a lot more rock.

[ajm]

55g with only 20lbs so far