Brown algae...

[Danny Boy]

My tank is now well established and everything in it seems happy.

The only slight niggle I have is the copious amounts of brown algae everywhere. I haven't got anything that eats it, and while someone has suggested I get a plec of some kind to deal with it, I haven't got room.

Is there anything I can do stop is growing?

It looks rather nasty on my black gravel and white rocks.

 

[Blade118]

try reading about it on the plants section


( i read it today and i found it really good)

 

[Annastasia]

There is a great pinned article on algae by gf225...here's the link: A Guide to Algae - Prevention and Control

Though I believe one of the main causes of Brown algae is not enough light. (someone correct me if I'm wrong) How many hours a day is your light on?

 

[Danny Boy]

Thanks to both of you.



I have my light on a timer set for 12hrs on, 12 hrs off...and I don't have any real plants in there.

 

[Vivid-Dawn]

I have brown algae too >_<

From what I've researched, it's not only the time of lighting, but how much in watts. Dim light is problematic, so you'll want at least 1 watt per gallon. I still have the standard lights that came with my tank, but when I get more money, I'm gonna get power compact so I can have at least 3 watts per gallon (that'll be 150 watts, rather than 38)... partly so I can also grow plants - and that'll help keep algae down, too!
It also happens to new tanks. How new "new" is, I dunno... maybe up to 6 months, after everything is fully settled? I would guess no more than that, though.

Ottos (Otocinclus sp) are good at eating brown algae. They like to be in groups, so if you've got the room and proper filtration/maintenance to add 3 small fish, I'd get a trio. Mine cleaned about 1/4 of a 50g tank in just a couple days!
Then when they run out of algae, you gotta give 'em extra food, or they'll starve. I use Hikari algae wafers.

 

[Mo_loves_fish]

PLECO