Algae

[flapperjack128]

hello , well to start with i bought some new plants for my tank (seen below) and ever since i have been getting this weird brown spots. i don't know if it is algae but please could you check it out for me as its starting to annoy me and if i can i will do something to resolve this problem, pics to follow

thank you flapperjack
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[star4]

Looks like normal brown algae to me, easy enough to just wipe off. Not great on plants myself however in your last pic the Vallis is still in the lead weight, I would recommend removing that and spread the plants apart to allow the plants to root grow

 

[flapperjack128]

thankyou i will do that but i wipe it off and 2 days later its just back again. is there anyway i can slow down the process or anything ???

thankyou

 

[star4]

Reduce the amount of time your lights are on usually works. Does the tank get any direct sun? this is usually another reason for brown algae.

 

[FishTankCrazy]

Buy a couple of oto catfish they love it

 

[flapperjack128]

Reduce the amount of time your lights are on usually works. Does the tank get any direct sun? this is usually another reason for brown algae.

Well i turn my light on about 8 in the morning and then leave for school, get back about 4 and switch it of for half an hour then back on till 10ish. Is that to much light? and well my fish tank is situated next to the door but its not really in direct but it does get some sunlight as it reflects and bounces back of my walls. I also have noticed to top of my plants are starting to turn brown, any reason why or how i can prevent this from happening and btw i have now took the lead weights off. Is there any plants that you would recommend for my fish or just in generall. I have 2 angelfish, 4 tiger barbs, 4 rummy-nose tetras, 6 guppys and also a pleco.

Thank you for helping

Reduce the amount of time your lights are on usually works. Does the tank get any direct sun? this is usually another reason for brown algae.

Well i turn my light on about 8 in the morning and then leave for school, get back about 4 and switch it of for half an hour then back on till 10ish. Is that to much light? and well my fish tank is situated next to the door but its not really in direct but it does get some sunlight as it reflects and bounces back of my walls. I also have noticed to top of my plants are starting to turn brown, any reason why or how i can prevent this from happening and btw i have now took the lead weights off. Is there any plants that you would recommend for my fish or just in generall. I have 2 angelfish, 4 tiger barbs, 4 rummy-nose tetras, 6 guppys and also a pleco.

Thank you for helping

To FishTankCrazy, i was thinking about getting 2 kuhli loaches. do you think they could do the same job?

Thanks Flapperjack128

 

[Verminator89]

14 hours is to long for a photoperiod. I'd reduce your lighting to be on to between 8-10 hours. If your in school as you say have your lights come on at 2pm and off at 10pm if you want. I have mine on from 12 noon, untill 7pm.


Khuli loaches will NOT do the same thing as otos. Otos eat algae, khulis are just loaches that hide away under your substrate all day, don't know what they eat. Oto's are finicky fish that require good water conditions. I've never had much success keeping otos for more than a few months, they always die on me.


Your plants leaves browning are probably due to a lack of nutrients and/or CO2. Unless your dosing some extra nutrients you'll often find there arent enough naturally in tap water, so we have to dose extras. Phosphate, Nitrate and Potasium being the big three. People with more experience and know-how on ferts will assist you further with them.

 

[star4]

Ditto James, too much light. You could get a timer so the lights are on say 8-12 then 4-10 something like that. You may get better help re the plants & lighting for plants in the planted section, I gave up on plants ages ago the only thing I can grow is Java fern which is pretty indistructable and is ok with angels