Brown Algae

[LongNY]

I have been cycling my tank for almost four weeks now and my ammonia is at toxic levels and nitrite/nitrate are still at zero.....

And now there is what looks like brown spots of algae on my artificial plants....

Any advice will help me.....I'm not using any chemicals during cycling, but I am testing the water and doing partial water changes.... I have 3 Tiger Barbs during this whole 4 week process.... they seem fine....hungry and not stressed out even though my water quality is at toxic levels....

John NYC

 

[The-Wolf]

brown algae is not actually an algea ,it is a diatom.
Diatoms are often seen in new set ups and are caused by low light levels. try adding more light or keeping the existing light on for longer.

fish like otos will eat it as will apple snails. other than that is is a case of manually cleaning it off with your fingers.

 

[BigC]

Yeah! Low light levels are the cause.

 

[The Mohave Kid]

I too have had diatoms show up in my new tank ...

If you have a microscope take some time and have a look .. they have skeletons made of glass forming all kinds of interesting patterns and so require a large amount of Silica in the water ... some have suggested new tanks may have excess silica in the water and perhaps the reason these algae do so well at first .. they are really quite interesting to look at .. hence having them around is not a total negative ...

I don't think I agree that low light causes these Algae .. they can do well in low light while other Algae can't grow .. but I don't think a normal range of more intense light is detrimental although it may allow other Algae to grow and out compete the diatoms... in other words one problem in exchange for another ??

I have seen chemicals advertised to kill this stuff but .. I would not like to go that route.

I cleaned some of my diatoms out .. and to tell you the truth I miss the look ... my wife hates them ... but what does she know


Good Day ... B)

 

[LongNY]

Thank you for the information..... I'll look into getting an "Oto", and keep an eye on the diatoms.....
John NYC