Help Curing Brown Algae / Diatom Bloom?

[gregzz4]

A few things come to mind;
Have your LFS test both your tapwater and your tank water for PO4
If you get tank readings for it, but none from your tap, cut back on the live food a bit ( do you rinse it ? )
If you get tap readings for it, use RO water

To lower your salinity, remove a small amount of tank water daily ( 1/2 to 1 litre or so ) and replace with fresh water, until your Sg is where you want it
For future reference, the same can be done in reverse if it's too low;
All you would need to do is slowly add new SW and let it evaporate
Lowering salinity may be done faster than raising it without adverse effects, but take it slow

[mandyplo]

Okay thanks. I have an Elos phosphate test kit can I just test both tank and tap water myself?

[gregzz4]

Of course
Do some tests and post them, including whatever else kits you have

[gregzz4]

My bad for assuming you didn't have a kit ...

When's the last time you added LR
When's the last time you added critters that poop

[burgerchow]

You're running the lights way too long. If they are at 100%, they are equivalent to 2 250watt metal halides on a 65 gal. Try cutting back the lights to 60% and cut back the time to about 7 hours. Since you don't have many corals at the moment, try leaving the lights off for 3 or 4 days until the brown algae subsides, then gradually bring them bak on

[mandyplo]

Okay Ill do both of those things today when I'm off work. The only adjustable settings on the kessils is brightness and either tuna blue to white light. When you say put them down to 60% do you mean the brightness? Thanks I'll keep them off for a few days.

[burgerchow]

Originally Posted by mandyplo

Okay Ill do both of those things today when I'm off work. The only adjustable settings on the kessils is brightness and either tuna blue to white light. When you say put them down to 60% do you mean the brightness? Thanks I'll keep them off for a few days.

yes, try to bring the brightness down to about half. 2 tuna blues are a lot for a 65 gallon. Try keeping the lights off for a few days til the brown algae disappears. If you're in a bright room, maybe even wrap the tank with a blanket so you get total darkness. Remember, Light+nutrients = Algae blooms.