It's not hair algae. Looks like cyanobacteria. It will
look less, or even gone in the morning, and then show up
after the lights have been on for a while. The light on
light off thing is a good indicator of cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria is a little more tricky than hair algae.

Hair algae likes high nitrates, and cyanobacteria does not
like high nitrates, and it likes to take free nitrogen,
and fix it into nitrates. Cyanobacteria can wiggle like a
worm. I've got some vidio on my camcorder of cyano under
the microscope wiggling like worms.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



jjbunn wrote on 10/4/2006 12:48 AM:
Here are some photos of the brown algae. These photos are not for the
faint of heart!

http://static.flickr.com/80/260382277_5b5f86d466_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/99/260382327_fc410b8aa0.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/98/260382207_9e730ae038.jpg

Julian


jjbunn wrote:
I have now had the new regime for three or four days: lots of turbulent
water flow, 12 hour 250W MH lights, activated charcoal, Kent
phosphate/silicate sponge, refurbished skimmer (collecting decent
amounts of gunk).

The problem with the algae persists. In fact it is worse, if anything.
When the light first comes on it looks better, but within a couple of
hours the tank is full of strands of brown filamentous algae.

Is it possible that my MH bulb is causing the problem? It looks as
bright and white as ever, but I'm clutching at straws now.

What to do next?

Thanks!
Julian


TheRock wrote:
I don't know if it's the best way to do it, but I use a turkey baster
(occasionally)
and blast the dead areas that start to cake up with waste
and my filter usually takes care of the rest.


"jjbunn" wrote in message
oups.com...
Maybe I'll add another powerhead to rough things up a bit more ...
can't do much harm.

Thanks!

Julian


Peter Pan wrote:
Isn't brown Algae cause by pour water circulation? If so, shouldn't more
water movement fix this problem? ( before you flame me on this... I'm
just
asking, I'm not sure of the answer)