Brown Algae?

[Marley]

Hello~my tank has finally cycled, so thanks to all who hepled! Over the past couple of days I have noticed the water looking a bit murky, not bad though. The gravel on the bottom has a copper colored film on it, I am assuming it is algae although my pleco is not working on it. I have an eheim canister, I leave my lights on 24/7, tank is mostly cichlids.
Thanks, Marley

 

[Miss Wiggle]

lights will be the problem, they should be on roughly 8 hrs a day

 

[waterdrop]

I agree, even 10 hours could easily bring the algae, but 24/7 is way too much.

 

[backtotropical]

I agree with Wiggly and Waterdrop (who would have guessed? ).

Your fish won't like the lights being on 24/7 either. Fish need rest just as much as we do, so a dark period is really essential.

Anything between 8 - 12 hours of light is fine. More than 12 hours is really asking for trouble.

Clean as much algae out of the tank as you can and reduce lighting time and you will see a vast improvement.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I agree with Wiggly and Waterdrop (who would have guessed? ).

knock me down with a feather!!!

 

[waterdrop]

BTT, you poor chap, back on the job and I thought you were still lounging on holidays...

 

[gaz gun man]

I agree with lights being on 8/10 hours, but I didnt think brown algae was light dependant?

 

[waterdrop]

I agree with lights being on 8/10 hours, but I didnt think brown algae was light dependant?

Gee, I don't know, interesting question, I just always assumed that brown algae needed light just like green (just like both green and red plants need light...)

Maybe Dave Spencer will spot this -- have always known he was good with algae questions but just saw some other post that made me think he is even deeper into algae questions than I thought!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Corleone]

Brown algae can thrive in low light. I have it right now in an unlit snail tank - just ambient room light and what little gets to it from my planted tank across the room. 24/7 light won't be helping, though, and it's a sure recipe for more persistent types of algae later, especially if you don't have live plants (fish really don't need much light, plants do). Brown algae will wipe off with your fingers, but some stuff is nigh impossible to get off. The fish themselves need a night time, too.