Brown Algae? Algae Bloom..it's taking me over...

[Vinman75]

What is exactly is meant by an aglae bllom. I have a 55 gallon FOWLR tank and started getting brown algae last week which has gotten progressively worse. I showed a picture of it to the guy at Tropic Isle in Framinghame (on my cell phone camera) and he confirmed that it was Diatom (something like that) Brown Algae and he said it was somewhat normal to get it. Any thoughts on how to get rid of it or what to do as it is now pretty brown or do I ride it out and it will clear up? HAve kept the tank light off today thinking maybe that will help alleviate some of the growth. Any thoughts?

 

[JohnK]

Assuming the ID is correct, diatoms generally pass with time. If you are not using RODI water, that might be feeding the problem. Otherwise, diatoms feed on silicate which normally gets used up, bound up, or otherwise no longer a problem once tanks age a while.

To confrim the ID, how does the stuff act when you disturb it? Diatoms should kind of blow off in the currrent looking almost like a dry powder. If it's slimy, it might not be diatoms.

 

[Vinman75]

Thanks for the info. I do not have an RO/DI system and I think that may be the issue. I know it has been asked a million times on this site but any thoughts/suggestions on where to get a lower cost efficient system (website or store/brand) ad then secondly any thoughts on how difficult to install?

 

[JohnK]

airwaterice.com and bulkreefsupply.com are both good vendors for RODI systems. Be wary of the Kent marine and other massively overpriced units sold by regular retail aquarium supply companies, they are the same guts with less accessories for twice the money.

RODI units are pretty easy to install. You connect the water supply with a screw on facuet adapter, or a garden hose adaptor, or a saddle valve that taps into a waterline in your house. The waste line goes into any drain, or you can install a saddle valve on a waste pipe in your house. For the product water, you can just run it into a clean plastic garbage can or rubbermaid container.

This is a great unit to go with;
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1TYPHOONIII/TYPHOON-III-AQUARIUM-RODI-75-or-100-GPD.html

Or check the equipment for sale forum, RODI units come up FS all the time and often quite cheap. Just be aware that you will usually need to replace the prefilters in a used unit so factor that into the cost.