So i really over did it on lighting on my tank...if i wanted to keep my light cycle how i have it, but not get this brown algae that im getting what should/can i do?
algae problem...
- Thread starter tommy_zito
- Start date
I've had a brown algae problem before and found that the brown stuff scrubs off really easily, much easier than the green stuff!
yeah im having the same in mine...the only thing is that i dont wanna turn all my white coral brown....
Otto's love brown algae, I had it covering my 46g bowfront. It was all over the glass, plants, substrate and rocks, put 4 Otto's in and they had it cleaned in 3 days. They stay busy keeping everything clean of algae and I supplement their food with zuchini - for some reason they won't touch algae wafers, I suspect this is because the main ingredient in 'algae wafers' appears to be fish meal!
iv spent loads of money trying to get lighting right but its a right pain. plecs r the best to get rid i have found. because i don't have time to clean algae by hand coz i have a fish house and im allways doing water changes.
thank you
thank you
The cause of brown algae is not too much lighting at all. High nitrAtes, silicates, and not enough light is what causes these little creatures to appear. They are not actually plants at all, and do not photosynthesize. Increase your lighting, decrease the amount you are feeding, or otherwise do more water changes to get the nitrates/silicates out of your water.
New tanks and recently resealed tanks often have this problem due to the new silicone leaching silicates into the water, and typically resolves on its own with proper tank maintenance. It does rub off easily. I use some polyfill (pillow batting bought in the craft section of Walmart) to rub it off glass. You can also use some spare filter floss, it has the same effect.
New tanks and recently resealed tanks often have this problem due to the new silicone leaching silicates into the water, and typically resolves on its own with proper tank maintenance. It does rub off easily. I use some polyfill (pillow batting bought in the craft section of Walmart) to rub it off glass. You can also use some spare filter floss, it has the same effect.
Silicates and low light like Laticauda has described are one of the reasons. Fluctuating phosphate levels, micro nutrient inbalances, and high oxygen levels can also contribute to the issue. By trying keep everything as stable as possible helps eliminate the issue. This can sometimes be hard with monster fish due to the large water changes. It can be a long battle with the cosmetics of the tank vs the health of the fish.
well honestly the tank is still some what new....its been running for 6 weeks or so??? i have only done one water change since its been up and running...im going to do another 10G change tomorrow before i recive my new tank mates in the mail..
Do you have fish in the tank? Are you testing your ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte levels every day?
If you have only done one water change, I feel sorry for the fish (if you have any.)
If you have only done one water change, I feel sorry for the fish (if you have any.)
Laticauda;4801503; said:
Well the tank went about 4 weeks with nothing in it but some zebra tetras. i re-used my magnum 350 canister (only like 2 hours of not running while i tore down the old tank and filled the new one re-using water) i also threw in a filter cartrage from my 10g. I have been testing water every day either when i get home from work in the morning, or when i wake up in the afternoon...i did see a small ammonia spike, and nitrite spike as well. right now my water conditions are not bad if i do say so my self...ammonia is a 0ppm nitrite is at 0ppm and nitrate is about 5ppm, ph is at about 8-8.2. and thats all that ive seen...my fish dont seem to be having any issues at all...they are all eating well, not acting strange or any thing else...i just want the brown crap to stop growing on my white coral.