Brown algae?

[mhancock]

Any idea what this is, and what I could do about it? The brown is on Anubis and grass, not on the swords though.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[mhancock]

Any thoughts?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Yeh anubias is prone to that stuff, i believe its diatoms. As anubias are such so growers, theyre best placed in quite a shady area out of direct light. Their big flat leaves are a perfect place for algae to setup and take advantage of the extra light that the anubias isn't utilising.
How long has your tank been setup? If not long, then diatoms are often found in new setups, to do with silicates found in the substrate. Otherwise your tapwater might have silicate content.
What other plants do you have in there? Would you have a picture of the tank in full?

 

[mhancock]

Hi, the tank has been set up for several years. I've recently got a load of floating plants so that should help. Will post a pic tomorrow.

Thanks,


Mark

 

[mhancock]

Have been reading about it, I think the high nitrates (see other thread) make diatoms likely. Since posting that thread I've gone to 50% RO water and got lots of fast growing floating plants which have bought nitrate right down.

So hopefully cutting off the effected leaves should do the trick?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Have been reading about it, I think the high nitrates (see other thread) make diatoms likely. Since posting that thread I've gone to 50% RO water and got lots of fast growing floating plants which have bought nitrate right down.

So hopefully cutting off the effected leaves should do the trick?

Ah ok, yes algae would make the most of excess nitrates. I wouldnt cut off affected leaves. If you can remove the plants from the tank (preferably), you can use a soft toothbrush to remove the diatoms. I always fear cutting leaves from plants may cause them some damage.

 

[mhancock]

Here's the tank, and the very fast growing plants that are helping with nitrates:

 

[mhancock]

I tried rubbing the brown stuff off but to no avail.

Guess next steps are to trim or replace the plants?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Do you have any snails at all? I think some nerites could help. And you dont have to worry about nerites getting out of control seeing as the young require brackish water to develop.

 

[mhancock]

No, not got any! How many would you suggest, and are they too big for my clowns to munch on?

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[mbsqw1d]

Ah you have clowns .. yeh don't think nerites would survive them.

 

[mhancock]

Hoping that with nitrates down (floating plants and 50% RO) plus less lights due to floating plants it won't get worse.

What do you think about trimming or replacing the plants?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Hoping that with nitrates down (floating plants and 50% RO) plus less lights due to floating plants it won't get worse.

What do you think about trimming or replacing the plants?

Had a read and sounds ok to trim the leaves. Cutting close to where the stem meets the rhizome