brown algea

[rob1984]

so i have my 130g tank all setup with a fx5 for the last while ... few months now ? im not really sure, but im battleing brown algea everywhere and it is driving me nuts ! lol ....

i do 80-90% water changes every monday, was doing them mon's and fri's, but cut back to once a week now.... and after a week before i do water changes i can see brown algea on my glass, rocks, decor, fake plantsas well as even my white PFS.... lately ive been just turning the sand up when doing water changes, but it makes my tank look darker then normal with this brown crud everywere

i feed the fish once a day now, and my lights are a dual bulb 48" t5ho on a 72" tank from 345pm to 915pm, almost think maybe the lights are too bright and have thought of changing to LED's with moonlighting

 

[nicko378]

Did you cycle the tank? It may be trying to cycle and everytime you change that much water another bacterial bloom is happening


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[rob1984]

If I had new tank cycle syndrome all my fish would likely die..... The tank had media and dirty gravel and such added into the tank before anyone got added and then slowly added fish at a time and all seems good now water levels are all good

 

[nicko378]

Ok well that's my two cents. I'm not too familiar with algae blooms sorry I couldn't be of more help


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[tomomothy]

Sometimes my tank has a lot of brown algae as well. Im pretty sure its because my bio load is kinda high and my lighting is pretty bright. When I am diligent in my water changes and keep my blinds closed to keep direct sunlight off it usually isnt a problem though. Typically its starts in areas that my plecos cant get to and spreads as time goes on. I would say its usually caused by high nitrates but with those massive water changes I doubt thats a cause. Just for sanity sake, what are your water parameters before you do a wter change?

 

[rob1984]

All water levels are within good reading for the kits I have, and my light is pretty bright too a dual bulb 48" t5ho but it only on for 5hrs a day now.....

 

[JK47]

Have you tested your water for phosphates? If those levels are high and your lighting is too strong for the tank, that can be a cause. (I am speaking from experience on this one!) I think that light is too powerfu for that size tank IMO. If it were planted it would be a difference story but there are no live plants competing for nutrients so the brown algae thrives. Get a standard T5 setup or LED's like you mentioned.

 

[probassfisher010]

I would add live plants at the surface to reduce nitrates and phosphates, which reduced algae by a lot. check out my thread so see how I did it(ghetto rigged)


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[rob1984]

Am I able to put standard t5 bulbs in my t5ho fixture ?? And no I haven't got a clue what my water parameters are straight from the tap....

 

[robmcd]

I have a pack of 6 Otos that take care of any brown algea I have.