Brown algae growth in saltwater tank?

Question

My husband left me in charge of his saltwater tank while he is gone. I have maintaned the water level and the protein skimmer is functioning. I am feeding them the same as he told me to. Over the last week I have noticed the brown algae that I remove from the walls of the tank is now on top of his live hard coral. I know this will end up killing the coral. How do I remove it?

Answer 1

squirt it off the coral with a turkey baster, as for the rest of the tank, if its not a viewing glass leave it be, its good for the water quality and good for feeding the snails and starfish (assuming he has any in there)

you may need to take his sponge and or sock filters out and give them a good rinsing, waists greate algae blooms and the longer they stay in the filters the more they will feed it

Answer 2

If it is actually growing on the coral then it is dead already. It could be that it is the coral itself though. There is no way to clean it off without killing the coral. Ignore ANY suggestions to use soap or detergent of ANY kind from anywhere; it will immediately KILL the coral. My guess is the water is too dirty and you are actually feeding too much for the tank's requirements and should cut back some. Is any way to turn the skimmer up some to get rid of more waste? Or can you buy some saltwater at a petshop and replace some of what is in there? Also, when you "maintain the water level" stop using tapwater and use distilled or reverse osmosis water to replace what evaporated and to make new water if you do that.

Answer 3

Most brown algae are forms of kelp and are beneficial to your tank, so I don't think you need to worry too much until your husband gets back.  Is the tank newly setup or has it cycled?  During the cycling process brown algae can show up and then dissapear as quickly as it came.

Answer 4

Some algae is actually healthy for the tank's ecosystem. It absorbs bad elements in the water. You can take the coral out and wash it, I suggest using salt water to clean it, do NOT use any detergent unless its from the pet stores. Its toxic.