Hello everyone. I set up a 55g. last week w/ 40 individual plants, two treatments of bio spira, 14 fish, a H.O.T. magnum, a bio wheel(only at night), 260 watt light(all 6700k), lots of driftwood and caves, 4 bags of eco complete on top of 1" fine gravel, the full flourish line, and a co2 fizz factory. Yesterday I noticed the tops of my caves were getting brownish. Today the brown has spread to my plants leaves(little spots), and the caves are covered. What should I do? How can it be cleaned from my plants? Thanks for any replies.
Brown algae
- Thread starter blue demasoni
- Start date
Odd. Brown algae is usually only present in low light aquariums. And especially so in hard water/low light. I had tons of the stuff in my 10 gallon for the first year it was set up.
But it is very light in my 29 gallon.
For the caves you can just scrub it off easily with an algae scrubber. I think with plant leaves you can gently rub it off with your fingers.
But it is very light in my 29 gallon.
For the caves you can just scrub it off easily with an algae scrubber. I think with plant leaves you can gently rub it off with your fingers.
From what I understand it is a common occurence in newly planted aquariums. It seems to feed off silicates(beating out other types of algae), then when those are depleted that is usually when you have an outbreak of green algae due to phosphates- or so I've been told. I will be getting some phosphate+silicate magnets, hopefully that will be the end of it. I'll try cleaning it just before my next w/c.
Silicates? Really? That is interesting. I have never heard that before. What are silicates really? I know the word, but if you asked me if silicates was a mineral or vitamin or what I would have no idea.
As for Phosphate causing causing outbreaks. Many people say that, I agree. But I've heard from some very knowledgeable people that phosphates causing algae is a myth.
But hey, I don't know personally.
Quick Research:
Apparently its a mineral.
I have completely missed silicate observations/theories in aquaria. Thanks for the insight!
As for Phosphate causing causing outbreaks. Many people say that, I agree. But I've heard from some very knowledgeable people that phosphates causing algae is a myth.
But hey, I don't know personally.
Quick Research:
Apparently its a mineral.
I have completely missed silicate observations/theories in aquaria. Thanks for the insight!