Dark reddish/brown algae

[Travis]

I have a 55 gallon tank with 36' power compacts. I have approximately
8 fish and some soft corals. When I first set up my tank, I got a
huge growth of calcitrous algae and it looked great. Lately, the
calcitrous is not growing as much and I am starting to see growths of
brown and dark red algae. I have used phoszorb, adding calcium the
whole time and changed the water, but it still seems to be growing. I
am not sure how to stop it (I have been cleaning off the rocks with a
toothbrush). Any suggestions or insite would be very much
appreciated.

[TW]

Sounds like Cynobacteria ( Red Slime Algae)
Read this : http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

Todd

Travis wrote:

>I have a 55 gallon tank with 36' power compacts. I have approximately
>8 fish and some soft corals. When I first set up my tank, I got a
>huge growth of calcitrous algae and it looked great. Lately, the
>calcitrous is not growing as much and I am starting to see growths of
>brown and dark red algae. I have used phoszorb, adding calcium the
>whole time and changed the water, but it still seems to be growing. I
>am not sure how to stop it (I have been cleaning off the rocks with a
>toothbrush). Any suggestions or insite would be very much
>appreciated.
>
>

[Rod]

> I have used phoszorb, adding calcium the
>whole time and changed the water, but it still seems to be growing. I
>am not sure how to stop it (I have been cleaning off the rocks with a
>toothbrush). Any suggestions or insite would be very much
>appreciated.

I agree that it is likely cyanobacteria.. and I would also guess that when you
are adding CA suppliments, you are not watching your alk levels.. low alk
equates to low pH, and low pH will lead to cyano.. Cyano is not phosphate
related.. It is strongly related to nitrogen (nitrates) improper pH, improper
temp, improper salinity, low current, bad light spectrums, and low Alkilinity.
Adding more circulation and getting the levels where the belong should do the
trick.
Good Luck!
Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com