Brown algae help!!

[El Scorcho]

Hi.
I recently installed Coralife lighting with two 65W bulbs, 10k and blue
actinic 03, (thanks to tips from some people in this board) on my 29G
tank.
Almost overnight I had an incredible amount of what seems to be brown
algae.
It is a rust color and looks like dust all over my live rock, glass and
substrate.
I've read that the best solution is having good circulation, frequent
water changes and good protein skimmer. In addition to these steps,
are there any critters that can help get rid of some of this junk? I
have 5 small snails, don't know what they're called, and they don't
seem to be eating the stuff.
On the other hand I also read that this type of algae is beneficial for
corals. Is this so?

Many thanks....

El Scorcho

[John Maag]

The guys will tell you this is normal but it depends on how much you are
getting. My aquarium is a year old and I have it. I have started a refugium
with Macro algae to outcompete the micro algae's. bottom line is it is
normal and you will always have it unless it is not trulely brown algae.
What I have resembles dust.

"El Scorcho" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi.
> I recently installed Coralife lighting with two 65W bulbs, 10k and blue
> actinic 03, (thanks to tips from some people in this board) on my 29G
> tank.
> Almost overnight I had an incredible amount of what seems to be brown
> algae.
> It is a rust color and looks like dust all over my live rock, glass and
> substrate.
> I've read that the best solution is having good circulation, frequent
> water changes and good protein skimmer. In addition to these steps,
> are there any critters that can help get rid of some of this junk? I
> have 5 small snails, don't know what they're called, and they don't
> seem to be eating the stuff.
> On the other hand I also read that this type of algae is beneficial for
> corals. Is this so?
>
> Many thanks....
>
> El Scorcho
>

[Marx]

If it's diatom, most snails eat them, but it grows very quickly
I battle it but with minor success, maybe i have too weak skimmer.
Marx