Brown Algae

[chrispy]

Ok so if you look at my signature it gives details of my 10 Gallon. ATM I am having a brown algae outbreak and it’s covering everything. Now I am not sure of the cause (it might be a natural cycle or something), but I would like a way to solve it without chemicals to kill the algae and wiping it down once a week. Now the tank has been set up for about 7 months since the last time i did a major clean and killed the cycle. I do water changes (not as regular as I should) and the last large water change I did was the beginning of January and I did about 80% water change. I have done several 50% changes since then. My tank is next to a window; however it only receives direct sunlight for about 30 mins a day. Other then that it’s indirect light bouncing off the building next door. Now up until January 5th I had no light and just a class top so the sunlight was its only light and as for plants I have about 5 of the bulbs you drop in, so I haven’t a clue the plant type. So after the 5th I got a cheap black strip light and put in a HAGEN “Power GLO” fluorescent bulb that’s 15 watts. Well even though I have the light the tank is still getting extremely brown. Now I called the LFS, not a chain, and he suggest I get a couple ottos. Now I would, but I fear my tank would not be large enough for them (because I literally know nothing about them) or it would overcrowd my tank. I believe that’s all the info, if you need more please ask. My first thought was the window, but that cant be enough light, it’s a window that really receives not that much sunlight because the adjacent building is taller and about 12’ away.

Thanks for the help…

 

[wslinky]

Brown Algae is usually a Diatom (not really algae), it can be caused by silicas or not enough light. What type of substrate do you have? Some sand is silica based and could be your cause. You could also try adding some light either longer periods or more, may clear it up. Usually brown "algae" will go away on its own in a short amount of time, I had some for the 1st month my tank was up that has now disappeared.

 

[chrispy]

Brown Algae is usually a Diatom (not really algae), it can be caused by silicas or not enough light. What type of substrate do you have? Some sand is silica based and could be your cause. You could also try adding some light either longer periods or more, may clear it up. Usually brown "algae" will go away on its own in a short amount of time, I had some for the 1st month my tank was up that has now disappeared.

I have gravel. About 1/8th an inch at its largest. rounder smooth gravel. and it is also covered in brown algae. I have been running the light for long hours for over a week and it still hasnt slowed down. I havnt had time to wipe it away and hope it is just a cycle that goes away. I run the light for an average of 12 hours a day now. so it receives light. its even crawling up into my filter.