A little brown algea on some plants

[midnightmadman]

Should I clean it off? And if so how? I have perfect water parameters, and cut back the lights a little, by about 4 hours less then they were on. I still notice a little growing on them. Whats the best way to clean it off?

[andyjh]

You could try using a soft toothbrush, by supporting the underside of the leaf and gently sweeping the brush over the brown algae. I've done this with some success.
Andy

[midnightmadman]

am I supposed to do that?



You could try using a soft toothbrush, by supporting the underside of the leaf and gently sweeping the brush over the brown algae. I've done this with some success.
Andy

[SMinNC]

Is this a new tank?

Will it come off by just rubbing it with your thumb?

[midnightmadman]

Its about 2 months old. I rubbed most of it off with my thumb gently. Some of it is sort of spots that don't rub off.

[SMinNC]

If this is the first time you've seen it, its probably just diatoms that come around about this time.

Clean it where you can easily. And give it about a week, and it'll probably just quit comming around.

Ammonia and silica is usually the culprit. Both happen to be around in a newer tank.

[jpappy789]

I agree...I've had it last up to 6-8 months on some tanks. But after that it disappears completely. More of just an annoyance than a problem.