Brown algea everywhere!

[Bear]

30 gallon tank, Whisper 30 filter, tank is fully cycled and has been up and running for about 1 and 1/2 months. Had an ick outbreak and treated with Coppersafe but haven't added to water in 3-4 weeks. Had ammonia problems and added AMMO-LOCK, and discontinued use yesterday.

Amonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrates=10 ppm

Friends....

3 black mollies
5 gouramis
3 guppys
2 albino tetras

There is brown algea all over our decorations, but not really on the glass. I've scraped off with a tootbrush once about 2 weeks ago, but it has since return. We have (fake) white coral throughout the tank it's too textured to clean well, so it looks pretty gross.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Bear]

Anyone?

 

[guppymonkey]

I always get brown algae when I am starting up a new tank. I think it has to do with cycling. When a tank has only been running for a month of two it is not completely cycled and there is a lot of extra waste that ends up being used by the brown algae. I have yet to figure out a way to stop it from happening. I suggest cleaning it off as much as possible. The brown algae usually stops appearing after a month or two.

 

[chunmak]

well i wouldn't use chemicals i'd give it liss light if i can and get some kind of algee eater and do a phosphate tes on ur water if its high then just lower the phosphate level and it shoul sort itself out. in the mean time an algee pad and hard work is the best.

 

[ryan]

Brown algae usually appears because of low light levels. Try adding a reflector over the light, it worked for me.

 

[Bear]

Brown algae usually appears because of low light levels. Try adding a reflector over the light, it worked for me.

A reflector? Where can I find a reflector? Our tank is in our hallway, so it doesn't get ANY natural light - only the aquarium light.

 

[ryan]

Most lfs will have a reflector, it is a arced piece of metal that clips on top of the lights so all the light that is going up and out of the tank is reflected back down into the tank.

 

[Lateral Line]

Brown "algae" is almost always made of diatoms rather then algae. Almost always indicates insufficient light. Reflector if you can get one to suit, or a brighter tube, or second tube. Diffcult to say without knowing the kit.

 

[freshwatergal]

I posted about a problem I was having with brown algea a while ago. I have a reflector in my hood, but still have it. I have tried washing the ornaments, but with plastic plants it's really hard. I can kinda live with it in my tank, but can my fish?

Sorry if I hijacked your post.

Tiff

 

[Bear]

Brown "algae" is almost always made of diatoms rather then algae. Almost always indicates insufficient light. Reflector if you can get one to suit, or a brighter tube, or second tube. Diffcult to say without knowing the kit.

Now that I think about it, I have a reflector for the light - it came with.

I guess I'll try maybe getting a brighter tube. I wonder if just putting a lamp next to it would help?

 

[Bear]

Bumping up for clufish!

 

[babyfish]

try adding some live plants, they will soak up excess nitrates

 

[thecichlidaddict]

More light should help brown algae grow as green. The presence of any excessive algae is usually an excess of nutrients on the water. Possible solutions:

•Plants to use up the nutrients
•Increased maintenance including water changes, vacuuming, and mechanical filter cleaning
•Removal of undergravel filters
•Reduction of feeding
•Reduction of stocking levels


Not all of these will apply to every tank of course. You need to reflect on your own tanks hnestly and figure out if any of these solutions might apply to you. If your tank is newly set up then I wouldn't worry too much, this is a fairly common problem in young and maturing tanks, and it will go away with time if you maintain the tank.