Dark browninsh algae on tank bottom

[mattyp]

Over the past 2 or so days 1/4 of the tank has been covered in a dark brownish algae. I can take a photo but was wondering if this is a common problem? :?:

-Tank 35 gal hex
-20"orbit PC
-bakpak2

 

[Anonymous]

Yea its a common problem, how long has the tank been set up?

Also, are you feeding the tank and what are its occupants?

1 more thing, make sure your skimmer is adjusted so you are getting some good gunk out of the tank.

 

[mattyp]

as of right now I only have a clown and a black damsel. 12lbs of fiji is that counts. But the skimmer on the other hand it has never filled the container completely. I see a nice thick foam at the top right after I clean the line out and after a day or so nothing..I've tried adjusting it but can't seem to find the sweet spot.
The tank has been together for at least 6-7 months. 1 month to cycle and added the damsel then a month later I added the clown.

 

[Anonymous]

Tanks normally go through cycles of different algae's while everything finds a balance. I wouldn't worry too much about it. try to get that skimmer working right though. It doesn't have to pull out dry gunk, if you can only get a wet foam out of it then set it like that. As long as you are emptying that cup and it has disgusting looking water or sludge in it then you are doing something...

Oh, and try not to overfeed the fish, I'm not sure how long you have had tanks, but its a common mistake, in fact I made a huge mess out of my tank because I was feeding the little guys all the time

 

[SnowManSnow]

If the tank hasn't been set up for long you are probably experiancing a diatom bloom. ALmost ALL tanks go through this cycle. Margarita snails do a number on this stuff. If your water quality stays high and you have decent flow though you should see it diminish in a few days or a week.

B.

 

[dodo99]

I agree w/SnowManSnow, probably diatoms. It's an algea that thrives on silicates in your water. Tap water can be high in silicates, if that's what you used to start the tank.

During the first year some tanks go through cylces of different algea blooms. For me, it was diatoms first, then hair-algea, a bit of bryopsis (sp?) then cyannobacteria (slime algea). After a year, now the only real algea I'm trying to erradicate is bubble-algea. Just keep to light feedings, making sure all the food is eaten before adding more.

What kind of skimmer are you using?

 

[mattyp]

I agree w/SnowManSnow, probably diatoms. It's an algea that thrives on silicates in your water. Tap water can be high in silicates, if that's what you used to start the tank.

During the first year some tanks go through cylces of different algea blooms. For me, it was diatoms first, then hair-algea, a bit of bryopsis (sp?) then cyannobacteria (slime algea). After a year, now the only real algea I'm trying to erradicate is bubble-algea. Just keep to light feedings, making sure all the food is eaten before adding more.

What kind of skimmer are you using?

I'm using the BakPak2 skimmer. I actually got it set just right now and it's full of sludge! I just have to figure out how to keep the damn micro bubbles from coming out of the return

 

[Anonymous]

sometimes you can put a sponge under the return and that helps, as long as you clean it regularly.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Don't they make a bubble trap for the BP skimmers?

 

[mattyp]

Don't they make a bubble trap for the BP skimmers?

Yes they do, I just bought one from marine depot 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Phosphates are also a major food for the algae. Phoshate should be as close to 0 ppm as possible.