Brown algae

[Tempestuousfury]

I read that this was actually diatoms.

With the one year of honors chemistry I've taken, I have no idea what that is.

However, is this true? I only read this once, andthere was only 1 line on it.

 

[Silly me]

Brown algae
Forms in soft brown clumpy patches. In the freshwater aquarium, these are usually diatoms. Usually indicates a lack of light or an excess of silicates. Increased light levels will usually make it disappear. Easily removed by wiping the glass or siphon vacuuming the affected area

 

[tstenback]

tempestuousfury here is a link that may give you some info Brown Algae HTH

 

[barbiya]

tstenback, thank you very much for that great link! Very helpful!

I just got 2 otos to combat the brown algae, didn't know that light levels really don't matter for that type. I've bookmarked that article for future use.

Cheers!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Thanks for the info.

I was aware of the fact that brown algae goes away when lighting is increased. I was just interested in what the algae really is.

Is it edible, by the way? If so, does it have any nutritional worth.

Thanks again.

 

[BigSteve]

I was having an increasing problem with brown algae on glass, decorations, and
artificial plants. I read up and decided it was probably phosphates and/or
silicates in tap water. Got some PhosX , put a handful in a homemade media bag,
and crammed it into my filter as the last stage of filtration (after poly fiber pad
and charcoal). No more brown algae problems. A similar product is PhosGard.

 

[endparenthesis]

I think my brown algae is starting to pearl. I don't know if I should be happy about that or not.

 

[Silly me]

Algae is a good thing.. If you dont have any plants in the water,

The only reason most ppl dont like algae is that it overrun there plant in the tank, cloud the water and grow on the side clouding your view

Algae also shows you exactly whats happening in your tank,
brown algae mostly shows you, that you'll need more light

Threaded algae indicates an excess of iron in your tank

Algae bloom can indicate to much light, or fertilizers

Mostly if there is to much of ...xxx... in the tank algae would gladly come and consume it, leaving the water in a much more stable condition that without them

I personaly try to use plants to do the same thing.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

That's not going to work in my 10 gallon tank unless I try using Java ferns. No other plants'll grow under incandescent lights.

 

[cometcattle]

I just picked up a 10g with incadecents. When I plant it, I will buy 2 of those screw-in flourecent lights. I think they're about $8 dollars each and they last for a long time.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I was told that those bulbs can cause fires.

I'm not sure how valid that statement is, however. But dishing out $8 per bulb in a tank that requires 2? It'd be cheaper to just change the hood.

 

[noelberg]

Thanks for the info.

I was aware of the fact that brown algae goes away when lighting is increased. I was just interested in what the algae really is.

Is it edible, by the way? If so, does it have any nutritional worth.

Thanks again.

I think brown algae was the secret ingredient in a re-run of Iron Chef I saw last week
Seriously I've heard that fish don't like it as much as green algae. My pleco doesn't do much with it, but there's not a hint of green algae in the tank.