Brown algae/ scum

[a_pmech84]

I’ve notice a brown algae or scum continuously form on my black sand. I’m not sure of the source and was wondering what it is why it is and how to make less frequently occurring or make it go away altogether. I have to fish and several coral frags with plenty of live rock in a 55 gal tank. I have a HOB filter that’s rated for a 100 gallon tank. I don’t have a protein skimmer as yet and I don’t over feed. I’m thinking the filter just isn’t sufficient but I don’t know. Any input is appreciated.

[Reeferadicto13]

Might be diatoms!!

hard to tell without a picture!

[Dutchymomo]

If your filter is rated for 100 gallons its probably good, but if you are using filter floss it needs to be changed out weekly depending on the bio-load. If you are using marine pure some people have problems with it becoming a nitrate factory so I would watch for that. Do you have a clean up crew? Is this tank a new tank? If so did it cycle? How frequently do you do water changes? You could invest in a refugium or chaeto reactor.

[a_pmech84]

It is a new tank. It’s been running since the first week of August. I was told by my LFS that the live rock I bought did not require a cycle before I started adding things. So we began slowly adding and noting changes. I don’t have any floss in the filter and I went to get some chaeto this past weekend and could find any at my local places. At most the water changes have been every other week but the usual is weekly. My clean up crew is a little under rated all our Scarlett hermits died and a couple of our blue legs died. And we just lost our big emerald crab. This weeks water change was good and all the tests were good which is what has led to my confusion. I do still have 3 blue legs and 4 astrea snails and a small emerald roaming around. The two fish I have don’t show any signs of issues. I do plan on doing a refugium sump filter. Any suggestions on adequate size for a 55 gallon tank. 

[Clown79]

Sumps are better but having a filter works as well.

 

What are you using in your filter? If you are using a sponge they can contribute to nutrients.

 

If carbon isn't changed often enough it's an issue.

 

 

Are you using rodi or distilled water?

 

Do you vacuum your sand and use a Turkey baster on the rocks?

 

[a_pmech84]

I do use RODI water only. The filter does have a sponge and a carbon insert. I have used a turkey baster on the rocks but it’s been probably about a month ago. No I haven’t vacuumed my sand I’m going to get one one today after work. I’m also gonna look for a second HOB filter and just run chaeto in it. 

[Clown79]

4 hours ago, a_pmech84 said:

I do use RODI water only. The filter does have a sponge and a carbon insert. I have used a turkey baster on the rocks but it’s been probably about a month ago. No I haven’t vacuumed my sand I’m going to get one one today after work. I’m also gonna look for a second HOB filter and just run chaeto in it. 

Using filter floss and changing it out twice a week is better than using a sponge. Sponges are great for fish only or fw tanks. In reefs they lead to nutrient issues, even when washed weekly.

 

Carbon needs changing every 2-3 weeks. It's cheaper to buy it in the larger containers and bag it yourself.

 

 

Rocks should be Turkey basted with every waterchange and vacuuming the sand with each water change will greatly improve the tanks condition.

 

You will need a light for the chaeto

[a_pmech84]

3 hours ago, Clown79 said:

Using filter floss and changing it out twice a week is better than using a sponge. Sponges are great for fish only or fw tanks. In reefs they lead to nutrient issues, even when washed weekly.

 

Carbon needs changing every 2-3 weeks. It's cheaper to buy it in the larger containers and bag it yourself.

 

 

Rocks should be Turkey basted with every waterchange and vacuuming the sand with each water change will greatly improve the tanks condition.

 

You will need a light for the chaeto

Ok I’m gonna make those changes and see what happens. I appreciate the input. 

[Clown79]

2 hours ago, a_pmech84 said:

Ok I’m gonna make those changes and see what happens. I appreciate the input. 

You're welcome.

 

There is also using chemipure if you don' want to bag your own carbon.