Another problem!

Ok guys now I'm having a problem in my 150 reef tank (This is my baby). About a month and a half ago I started to see light brown on the sand. Right away I treated for red slime and no result, nothing changed IT GOT WORSE. So, I knew then it was Diatom (not sure how to spell it). Started adding carbonite to the water, did several water changes, I raised my Ph and Alkalinity. I see no results, no changes, In fact it is getting worse it is getting on my rocks and corals. Have Rowa in hte tank. By the way is Rowa a type of GFO? Im confused on that..lol But I need help guys this is my baby. Have alot of corals in this specific tank, and don't want to loose anything. Thanks in advance with any help or suggestions you guys may have.

 

How large is the cleanup crew?

 

Can you post a pic of the algae? Diatoms typically only show up in the beginning stages of a tank when there are silicates in the water from new pvc. It's possible it could be something totally different like dino or cyano.

 

@ LCP, I have 50 blue legs, 50 turbo snails, sally light foot, 1 horseshoe crab, and 1 urchin.

@Ultraner- I tried to post pic but it keeps saying failed. Working on posting a pic for you. But, It might be Dino. I know for sure it is not Cyano. I can give you a descroption on what it looks like until I'm able to solve this pic issue It is a Rusty color type of slime, with some air bubbles (looks like snot) and it is beginning to get on my rocks and corals. I've tried stirring it, breaking it up, sucking it up with siphon, scooping it. But it comes back almost immediately.

 

It sounds like dino if it has air bubbles trapped in it with a snotty appearance. For pics I always just use photobucket and upload my pics there and then just copy and paste the img code directly into the post.

 

Ok I will try that. How do I treat that? Oh and is Rowa a type of GFO? I have to get use to the aquarium terminology...lol Thanks btw for your info.

 

ROWA does make a gfo I believe it is called ROWA Phos.

 

If it is dinoflagelites, it will appear like brown snot........stringy with air bubbles attached throughout.

First, I might have misssed this, how old is your tank? Are you running Rowa in a reactor or in a bag? What is your KH and PH at? How long are lights on? Does it seem better when you first turn on your lights and increase as day goes on?

Dino is horrible to treat and it takes time. I had it once and here is what i did:
1. MUST DECREASE THE NUTRIENTS IN THE TANK! This is the most important part of it. This means running a phosban reactor (ROWA needs to be replaced more frequently then GFO and can actually leach the phosphates back into water if not changed) The phosban reactor works better then placing in a bag. Also must decrease the amount of feeding of your fish. No matter how much you feed, you are probably feeding way too much (I was). Cut the amount you feed to less than half of what you normally feed.
2. Turn off your lights all together (total blackout-no moonlights etc) If you could I even covered my tank with a blanket. This needs to be done for about 7 days. Your corals will be ok. I actually did 10 days and I had very large clams (4 of them) and a bunch of SPS and LPS corals. When it is time to turn your lights back on, you will need to do a very slow acclimation period (I turned my moon lights on and took blanket off day 1, day 2 turned on actinics for 2 hours, day 3 increased actinics to 4, day 4 MH for 1 hour......etc) If you turn on the lights too fast you will just have another outbreak.
3. Raise your kH. Target for treating is 13. Must watch your other levels, mg and calcium or else you will not keep the kH up that high.

 

+1 to what schackmel said, I also did a 10 days blackout with towels wrapped around the tank. I wouldn't put one over the top and completely cover it that could mess with your oxygen exchange, but that and getting your nutrients way down are your best bet.

 

Thanks Schackmel will try that..