Brown Diatoms

[jlines]

I have this brown film that shows up on the glass and substrate. It rubs off the glass easy enough. But i would prefer it if it didn't grow at all. Does anyone have any tips for getting rid of this stuff?

I have a 28g bowfront with a few plants with a 65watt bulb

thanks

 

[leighasnana]

This is common in new tanks. Ottos love this type of algae but once it's gone you need to feed the ottos algae wafers etc...

 

[Mgamer20o0]

 

[Lupin]

:grinyes:

 

[jlines]

indeed - that is the current solution. But it doesn't work so well on the gravel.

 

[THE V]

ottos help

Snails help

Plants help

reduced feeding helps

brown colored substrate helps the most

 

[Mgamer20o0]

do you gravel vac? that should help at least move the gravel around so it doesnt show as well. it will go away just give it time.

 

[Marinemom]

Brown algae is called diatoms and is very common in new tanks. It is part of the natural cycle of the tank as it matures and becomes established. Even if you do nothing, it will go away on its own. I know it is unsightly so in the mean time you can clean it off the surfaces and gravel vac it of of the substrate. It is removed easily. I would not recommend getting ottos for the cleanup of the tank since once the brown algae is gone the ottos will starve to death since most times the brown algae is the only thing they want and do not take to other foods that are offered to them.

Marinemom

 

[Star_Rider]

I agree with marine mom

use elbow gease ..oto's are great catfish but tend to feed heavily on diatom..sometimes they do not recognise other foods we commonly use to feed some catfish.
they can be trained to feed on other foods but I have found they will eat diatoms when they can.

 

[NeonFlux]

no wonder I still see them... my pleco doesnt even care