Brown Algae

[Miss M]

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've posted here, but I've had no major problems with both my fishtanks until now. I have a 10 gallon w/ 5 fish, and approx. a 38 gallon (give or take a bit) with 24 fish.
Tank readings are great: my only problem is I'm getting a lot of brown, slimy algae on everything: glass, ceramics, airstones, etc... I've been faithful w/cleaning the tanks and doing water changes etc...

I have been leaving the light on in each tank during the day, so I'm not sure if this is what's causing so much of it.

Fish are fed a tiny bit 6x a week (I let them fast for one day). Both tanks are holding community fish, the largest being a guppy. Lots of small tetras, some platys , mollies and corys.

Any ideas on what's causing the brown algae or what I can do to correct it? (I'm assuming that it is algae). It's getting caked up in my filters, so I'm careful to rinse them in the old tank water when I do any water changes (it does have a certain "stink" to it, too).

I appreciated anyone with any suggestions.

10 gall has been running for almost 9 months, larger tank has been running since the beginning of June.

Miss M

 

[shang hi]

you could try having the light on for less time a day. how long do you have it on for?

heres a trick i use if i get some algae. for 2 days i have the lights off and for the first day i fast the fish, on the second day i turn the light on for afew mins for feeding, for the next 2 days i only have the light on for 4 hours. now for a week or so turn the light on at a normal time but about midday set a timer to turn it off for 2-4 hours then back on for a fewhours (untill bedtime for fishys). this usualy upsets the algae, and usualy kills it, (im unsure how but it does the trick for me). the fasting doesnt realy do much for the algae but will help clean up the tank a bit so you can miss it if you want too.

 

[charlie4486]

if it's brown algae its actually a diatom. the best way to get rid of it is to clean it off and leave your lights on for like an hour longer. here is a link that will explain better.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/95...forms-of-Algae/

 

[Miss M]

Thank you for the info. I checked the link re: diatoms and it also mentioned silicates as a possible cause. What are silicates?
The lights are on for approx 7-8 hrs a day. I'll try increasing the time that I leave them on.

 

[Miss M]

Thank you for the info. I checked the link re: diatoms and it also mentioned silicates as a possible cause. What are silicates?
The lights are on for approx 7-8 hrs a day. I'll try increasing the time that I leave them on.