Brown/Golden Diatom Algae Photos

Saltwater Aquariums

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Brown or Golden Diatom Algae Photos
Marine Algaes Photo Gallery

All photos taken by Debbie Hauter

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In the above full tank photo view of our 55 gallon semi-reef tank you can see two patches of brown algae, one on each side of the tank. The left side algae began growing along the right side of our powerhead, as it circulates water counter-clockwise in the tank. On the right side the algae began growing just to the left of where the Magnum 350 canister filter intake and output are positioned. These are the two areas in the tank where the least amount of water movement occurs.

Left side of tank close-up

Right side of tank close-up

Referred to as brown or golden algae, which is actually not an algae at all, but diatoms, this is one of the first to appear in the chain algae when the tank conditions are conducive for growth, and is usually a precursor to other forms of both desirable and nuisance forms of green macroalgae. In the next two close-up photos you can clearly see that the center area where the brown diatom algae first began growing on the left side of the tank is beginning to turn green. The clear or white looking patchy areas near the bottom are from where a small true crab in our tank ate the algae off the glass that it could reach, both in its brown and green stages. To learn all about brown or golden diatom algae, read our profile to find out what makes it grow, and get solutions for eliminating this problem in saltwater aquariums.