The Puffer Forum

46 gal Brackish tank, 3 F8's.
Sg is 1.003
Amm is 0
NO2 is 0
NO3 is 0
Ph is 8.1

Tank is 5 months old. I had this problem before but I had the diatoms really bad. This was a couple months ago. Now it's back really bad. No diatoms but tons of brown algae. It is growing over night. I bought some phosguard and the first week it worked like a charm. No algae and my water was crystal clear. Did water change last monday put in new bag of phosguard and this week you would think the phosguard was feeding it!!!??? I only have a couple live plants, rocks, and some drift wood. Oh and a couple plastic plants. This is ridiculous. Any tips? Please any!!! :/

Tank is very close to a window. I don't know if this makes a difference.

How much sunlight hits the tank?

If the sun is on the tank for the majority of the day plus you have evening lighting that could be the cause

Sun hits one bottom corner for maybe 30 mins a day.

Test for phosphates.

How long do you have your lights on? It's an odd one

It is still diatom algae. If you want the Phos-guard to be really effective you should be pre-treating the water before it is added to the tank.

Plus you need to block the sun from the tank. Nutriants + light = algae

Do you have a phosphate test kit?

No I do not have a phosphate test kit.

Oh I try to leave the light on for around 8 hrs a day.

Thats too long for your tank.

Can you move it away from the window?