Fighting brown algae

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

Bobtastic6

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 13, 2009
157
0
0
United States
I have a 120g planted tank and brown algae is starting to really spread out and cover most surfaces. I have been scrubbing it from the surfaces it takes hold of but my plants are thus being damaged.

How do YOU fight brown algae?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Get yourself an ancistrus catfish. Just be sure to feed it after it removes all the brown algae (may take a day of two LOL!). Fast growing plants will also out compete the algae for nutrients.
 
the best by far i would say is either an otto fish or a true siamese algae eater.

the otto is much smaller
http://www.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Catfish/Otto.asp

the true siamese algae eater is large
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_algae_eater
make sure its the true version and no the fake flying fox as they look very very similar - ask the shop keeper

I have a bunch of true siamese algae eaters in my tank and they cleared all of my brown algae within a matter of a couple of days.

If you have true siamese algae eaters then you need a much larger aquarium.
Both otto's and true siamese algae eaters need to be kept in shoals.

Best of luck
 
Have you changed your bulbs recently? I usually get brown algae when my bulbs need replacing.
 
i go with algae eaters they do magic! but make sure you have enough hiding places for them mine loved to lay on each other in a log! straaange fish but cute
 
I have the same problem but my gar eats anything small enough to fit in his mouth as do my peacock bass sooooooo I just have to scrub it once a week :/


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Do syno cats eat algae? I out my 8" upside down cat in my 220 last night and I just got home and 80% of the algae on the back glass is gone...


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
whats your water change routine? If you have a lot of light on your tank algae will grow quickly, especially if your nitrates are high. If you can, reduce your tank light duration and maybe increase water changes if your nitrates are high.
 
bristlenose plecos are also another good choice, they eat any algae that they can scrape up, the only one that is tough for them is beard algae. They are also gentle on plants. they get a bigger than otto cats, and being plecos are tough and won't get killed as easily if in an aggressive tank. I have tried the chinese algae eaters and find them to get aggressive with age.

a good preventative measure is to get more plants, lots more, so that the plants outcompete the algae for nutrients.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom