How do you stop brown algae?

[sirsears]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 20G long, it has finally cycled, but i keep getting brown algae over my decorations and plants. I do not have it in direct sunlight, and i have the artificial lighting on around 10 hours a day. Is that too long and maybe causing the problem? Any suggestions? And yes, i have tried to clean off what i can from the ornaments, but i think the fake plants are going to have to be replaced. Thanks for the advice..

[Slappy*McFish]

It's common in new tanks and will go away on it's own within a couple of weeks.

[mostlycichlids]

It's not algae but diatoms. It can come and go in aquariums newer than a year or so. It wipes off easily but I would let it go it will disapear soon as you know it.

[sirsears]

It just disappears? Ok, I didnt know that, thank you. I thought i was going to have to replace everything in the tank!

[Marinemom]

Diatoms caused by silicates in the aquarium glass that leech out into the water over time. This is very common in new setups that are less then a year old. you can remove it easily by yourself. As far as the plants are concerned if you want to clean them you can clean them in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Just soak it for a few minutes and the brown junk will come off. Then rinse in water until you do not smell the bleach anymore. even if you do nothing about the diatoms, it will go away on its own eventually.

Marinemom

[Rbishop]

As above posters have stated....it isn't a problem. Your decor can be cleaned if the look bothers you before it goes away.

[Star_Rider]

as mentione silicates leeching from the glass are most likely rthe culprit..however, phosphates can also cause diatoms(brown algae)
takes about 1 year for a new tank to mature.

[platytetrafan]

I have algae eaters that love brown algae and they go to town eating it so my tank is pretty much free of it. It was a problem for a while before I got them.

[jpappy789]

I would advise not to get any fish just the take care of the problem as it really isn't a problem because they will eventually disappear. I had the same problem right away with my tank and rushed into buying otos. They did a great job (cleaned it up in a week) but now I have to worry about making sure they get the vegetation they need. I wouldn't worry...

[sirsears]

Ok, as long as it isnt harmful to the fish, i am going to leave it alone, thanks for the advice everyone!

[duneenworywifit]

I thought that the brown alge in tanks was caused mainly by high nitrate levels,it happens in my tanks every 2 to 3 weeks.

[sirsears]

I just tested my nitrates last night, it is at 1.0.. I dont think that is high, is it?

[jpappy789]

That is not high at all. Brown Algae is more likely to appear in new set-ups, where nitrogen is low and phosphate level is high, with excess silicates.

I have above average nitrates in my tank at times because I have no live plants to help out. I have never had diatoms since, mostly another kind that I have yet to id...

[Star_Rider]

:iagree: :iagree:
if yo have high nitrates you may be more prone to green algae. diatoms ..that'a another story.

[duneenworywifit]

Im still confused,my 65 gal is three years old,the alge blooms happen every 2to3 weeks,the only way it goes away is when I clean the tank with my scrub brush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Im tired of the alge,even a bristle nose pleco wont eat it.Good luck with it .

[sirsears]

Hmm.. Well, hopefully mine is just from the tank being new... Maybe someone on the site can help you with your algae problem, I am pretty new at this..

[jpappy789]

Im still confused,my 65 gal is three years old,the alge blooms happen every 2to3 weeks,the only way it goes away is when I clean the tank with my scrub brush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Im tired of the alge,even a bristle nose pleco wont eat it.Good luck with it .

Post a new thread. I know that a good number of people on the site have experienced annoying algae blooms and will be glad to help you fix the problem...I can't help you though because I have never had one...

[zachjohnson65]

"Brown Algae is more likely to appear in new set-ups, where nitrogen is low and phosphate level is high, with excess silicates."

So what if you remove the phosphate? What does it do in an aquarium? all i know that high levels are bad.