Brown algae growin in my tank

[pcam86]

Hi I've suddenly started getting brown algae growing all around my tank on the glass, on my breeding net and also all over the gravel.

Is this a big problem to have this?

I've got a phosphate remover that i got with my tank in the form of like a teabag type thing which says it stops algae growing. Should i use this? Would this cause problems being as i've got med in my tank.?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/algae.htm

 

[The-Wolf]

as always very helpfull

brown algea is actually not an algea, it is a diatom
diatoms are often seen in new tank set ups, but can occur in mature tanks to.
the best solution is more light, either add another light source or keep the existing light on for longer.
if you have it in a mature tank otos will eat it
for new tanks apple snails love it.

 

[rdd1952]

I am currently having a terrible time with some type brown algae. It is kind of stringy and thin almost like cotton. I have tried to take a pic of it but it is so thin and light in color that it doesn't show up well at all. It doesn't attach to anything really well and can be vacuumed out (other than what is intertwined on the leaves of my plants - very hard to get loose). If left for a couple days though, it does start to attach to the rocks and plants. I don't know what type it is but extra lighting is definitely NOT the answer. I tried that after reading another thread recently and it went wild. If I leave my lights off during the day, it isn't nearly as bad when I get home as it is if my lights are on their normal 8 hours a day. Is there another kind of brown algae? Here is a link to a photo that looks very similar but mine doesn't seem to clump up like the photo. Maybe it's because I am doing a small water change and vacuuming as much as I can daily.

http/www.kidsgrovetropicals.co.uk/images/hairalg.jpg

 

[WILDER]

What is your temp set at in the tank.

 

[rdd1952]

My temp runs between 78 or 79.

 

[WILDER]

Mycotic Diseases



1) Saprolegniasis



A. Caused by various groups of aquatic fungi; primarily Saprolegnia, Achlya, and Aphanomyces.



B. Saprolegniasis affects all species and ages of freshwater and estuarine fish.



C. Clinically, affected fish develop white to brown cotton‑like growths on skin, fins, gills and dead eggs. This organism is an opportunist which will usually grow over previous ulcers or lesions. Diagnosis is by finding broad nonseptate branching hyphae that produce motile flagellated zoospores in the terminal sporangia.



D. In the Atlantic menhaden, gizzard shad, and some other marine fishes, this fungus may present as an ulcerative mycosis which may progress to a deep necrotic lesion involving the muscle. Histologically there is an intense granulomatous inflammation with broad (7 to 14 micron), nonseptate hyphae.



E. Most fish die due to osmotic or respiratory problems if the affected area of skin or gills is large.



F. The fungi are normal water inhabitants that invade the traumatized epidermis. Improper handling, bacterial or viral skin diseases, and trauma are the major causes of the disease. It is interesting to note that temperature has a significant effect on the development of infections. Most epizootics occur when temperatures are below the optimal temperature range for that species of fish.

 

[muse]

I have the same problem as rdd1952 but only on the plants. I've put plastic due to very poor lighting but i've kept a few live plants as well(until i get a big tank hopefully ). This brown cotton seems to be making my caboba rotten. My flying fox doesn't eat that staff. Perhaps i could try some apple snail i keep in a smaller tank .

 

[rdd1952]

Mycotic Diseases



1) Saprolegniasis



A. Caused by various groups of aquatic fungi; primarily Saprolegnia, Achlya, and Aphanomyces.



B. Saprolegniasis affects all species and ages of freshwater and estuarine fish.



C. Clinically, affected fish develop white to brown cotton‑like growths on skin, fins, gills and dead eggs. This organism is an opportunist which will usually grow over previous ulcers or lesions. Diagnosis is by finding broad nonseptate branching hyphae that produce motile flagellated zoospores in the terminal sporangia.



D. In the Atlantic menhaden, gizzard shad, and some other marine fishes, this fungus may present as an ulcerative mycosis which may progress to a deep necrotic lesion involving the muscle. Histologically there is an intense granulomatous inflammation with broad (7 to 14 micron), nonseptate hyphae.



E. Most fish die due to osmotic or respiratory problems if the affected area of skin or gills is large.



F. The fungi are normal water inhabitants that invade the traumatized epidermis. Improper handling, bacterial or viral skin diseases, and trauma are the major causes of the disease. It is interesting to note that temperature has a significant effect on the development of infections. Most epizootics occur when temperatures are below the optimal temperature range for that species of fish.

?

 

[WILDER]

I would try and clear it up as if you do have fish that are sick it could invade them.

 

[rdd1952]

I would try and clear it up as if you do have fish that are sick it could invade them.

This is the same tank that I am treating for whatever problem I am having that killed my cory. I am not going to be terribly concerned about the algae for now. Since I am treating the tank with Maracyn, I will not be doind any water changes for a few days. I just hope the algae doesn't get too bad.

 

[davejey]

Brown Diatoms got established in my new tank setup and so I moved my tank so that it caught the afternoon sun for about twenty minutes each day. In a week green algae had established and voila! the brown disappeared.
Good luck
Davejey