Algae help!

[johntanjm]

Brothers I need some advise. There's so much information on the net that i dont know which one is accurate.

From what i know there are many kinds of algae that we dont like. I've experienced 2 kinds before. One kind is this red slimy mucus-like algae

the other one is golden brownish and it covers your sand, and your rocks.

I have the golden brownish one and its growing at an increasing rate. Its just started to grow and i want to stop the problem at the start.

here's my plan. I intend to install a UV and also to physically take out the rocks and give it one good scrub and then put back.

I've read about chemical methods that are effective but am not too keen to risk it. can anybody share more informatoin about that? will post a picture on the brown algae tomorrow when the light comes on.

thanks!

[xersion]

are u usingtap water?

[giantbicycle]

What is your P04 in the tank like? Si?

[flamey]

most likely its diatoms... go read up bout it.. usual cause is high phosphate/silicate levels that is found in our tapwater... if u have to scrub ur rocks make sure u use saltwater n nt tapwater

[johntanjm]

I have yet to purhcase a PO4 testkit. I believe its diatoms too! I have thus added rowaphos into my filter. i should have added it earlier! why so stupid wait until the problem start then add!? haiz...

scrubbing is a headache man!

oh yes, can UV help?

[johntanjm]

are u usingtap water?

yes bro. tap water.

[hammy]

yes bro. tap water.

tapwater contain silicate which fertilize the growth of diatom.

watch out 2 main water nutrient ie phosphate and nitrate.

current do play a part .

UV does help to lower the amount of diatom in the water if they pass through the column. the UV will destroy the DNA of the spores and live diatoms when they pass through the UV column.

[johntanjm]

UV is good to prevent free swimming diatoms to propogate but at the end of the day, it will still come down to stringent water quality control like frequent water change and using chemical media to remove phosphate and silcates?

I took all the rocks and sccrub redi. and did some rescaping. infact i'm even more happy with how it looks. i cleaned out the mechanical filter. there's now rowaphos in the filttration, so i'm hoping that this will help. Also did some water change with sea water

I've also decided to not turn on the lights for the next 2-3 days since right now, there's no corals or any thing photosynthetic.

is my actions correct?