Brown Algae

[Swayde]

29 Gallon, Temp 78-80F, PH = 7.9, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5.0. (16 days running, 8 with 0 Ammonia/Nitrites). Low light (20W), TetraFin 30 HOB filter.

6 Long Finned Zebra Danios, 3 Red Wag Platies
2 Amazon Swordplants, 3 Java Ferns, 1 Banana Plant, 1 small patch of some type of dark green grass

I noticed that I am growing some brown algae on the tips of my grass *not sure what type of grass*. I am also growing some hair algae, but that doesn't seem to be too big of a deal. The brown algae seemed to be in the filter media as well, which was getting a bit clogged and causing the flow to slow down and the filter to get noisey, so I swished the filter media in a bucket of room temp water treated with Aqua-Safe.

Should I do anything about the brown algae? If so, what should I do? I would like to get some Otocinclus (2-3) at some point, but I wanted to wait until I was sure the water was stable because I read they can be hard to keep at first. Plus I have to find some locally because I simply can't afford to have fish shipped.

[ct-death]

Oto's will do a great job, however, this does not address the reason the algea is growing...

I just happened to be reading the Articles in here, so here is a good one for you ;)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68454

[J double R]

try swishing your hand just over the tips of the grass and see if the 'algae' comes dislodged. if you have any amount of detritus (sp?) in your tank, grass is a REALLY good catcher for it.

[liv2padl]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=brown+algae+in+aquarium

[Marinemom]

Brown algae is usually diatoms which is very common in newly set up tanks. It will go away on its own even if you do nothing about it but it can take as long as eight weeks for this to happen. It is caused from the silicates in the aquarium glass that leach out into the water. Eventyually this will stop but it is unsightly and can be manually removed in the meantime. The fish should not be bothered by it. If it is clogging your filters that is a concern. Are you sure it is the brown algae that is doing this and not the hair algae mixed with the brown algae? I would be more worried about the hair algae as this is an indication that something is out of balance for this kind of algae to form. It is also a real pain to get rid of.

Marinemom

[Swayde]

I am pretty sure it is brown algae...it is brownish color a little rusty looking...I tried to brush if off the grass but it didn't come off. I just noticed that the gravel on that side of the tank also has it, even clear down to the bottom. I believe it may be from the small amount of indirect sunlight it receives on that side of the tank. Is that possible? See about 1/6th of the tank is in front of a window, but I thought it would be okay since it's on the east side of the house, under a carport, and it has blinds and a curtain over it. So it's a small amount of sunlight that can get through. Would that be causing it?

As for the filter, it did seem to be brown colored on one side, but it rinsed out fine when I swished it around the bucket and now it's working just like it was when brand new. I tested my water today and everything is reading okay. Temp 79F, PH 7.9, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5.0.

The hair type algae stuff I've seen has only been a few strands and it was stuck on 1 plant in particular, but it comes off real easy.

This is my first tank and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I just worry about it a lot because I want it to be as close to perfect as it can be for my little fishies.

Thank you guys for your help so far. I am still kinda worried about it though =(

[Star_Rider]

brown algae is usually diatoms..if the tank is new and glass..it is a common issue.
I have see it controlled with blackouts..I have also seen it not controlled with blackouts.

it can be an indicator that you may have excessive phosphates.silicates or a combination.

it does usually run it's course..however,,brown algae/diatom algae is easily wiped off...
btw oto's love the stuff.

[Mgamer20o0]

i just bust out the rag and be done with it.

[Swayde]

Small good news! The part of the gravel I thought was full of algae was actually just shadows and a high concentration of smaller, darker pieces of gravel than anywhere else in my tank. Soooo it's still on my grass leaves, but not anywhere else that I can see =) I plan to do a PWC this weekend so I'll just try and clean it off then.

Thanks again for the responses :)