Algae Issues

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Brandonv19

AC Members
Sep 29, 2005
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I have an algae that looks similar to hair or fuzz algae but it looks almost brown rather than green. its growing all over everything inbluding the glass, plants, filter suction tube. i was wondering if anyone could tell me fore what kind of algae that would be and how to get rid of it. i have no cam or id take a pic. info on my tank:29 gallon, temp is 80 degrees, have hagen CO2 unit set up on itonly for a few days now, have a 55 watt compact flourescent light thats on for about 12 hours day, the tank is fully stocked, maybe slightly overstocked depending on who you ask. if someone could give me any advice on what might be causing it and how to get rid of it, i would really appreciate it, thanks
 
use an algea scraper to remove as much as you can. reduce lighting to 10hrs, reduce feeding portions and perhaps skip everyother day. vaccum the gravel and increase water change frequency.
 
I think that you have diatoms based on the description. It is probably caused by an excess of silicates (From your tapwater or gravel). I would not worry too much about it as it will eventually go away by itself as your tank matures. If the tank is mature, your water source might be high in silicates which would cause this problem to persist. I would then get a phosphate/silicate absorbtion resin to deal with this problem. Otherwise just keep up with your waterchange schedule vacuuming the substrate and scrape it off until one day it vanishes. When my tank was newer I had the same problem but my pond snails and rainbow shark took care of the problem relatively quickly.

EDIT: A reduction in light will actually stimulate the growth of this type of brown algae. Unless you have a problem with green algae, leave your lights on for 12 hours a day.
 
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this is like a hair/fuzz algae though, the diatoms you are referriing to are brown spots correct?
 
Diatoms are a form of brown algae that forms almost a fuzzy carpet over everything. Usually starting as small brown spots on a dark surface. Hair algae normally only grows on your plant leaves.
 
will htis is more then jst fuzzy, loks like fuzzy hairs coming off of the plants, the equipment and the glass, about 2-3mm long, they are longer on the plants then anythign though
 
if you have the ability to put up a pic, please do so.. if not, you might try some Google Image searches to find something that looks right.

diatoms come in thousands of forms. some are spots, some colonize in threads... how long has the tank been set up? diatomacious colonies are usually only strongly present in newer tanks, and in those of hard water, IME.

usually the standard green algaes outcompete it in time.

you could have a lighter (in color) form of black beard algae. there are multicellular green algaes that are more brown in appearance (kelp comes to mind).

hence the need for a pic to get much further.

:cool:

edit: to get some of the more 'exotic' algaes i would suspect you have a phosphorus source... from the tap or somewhere. light, phosphorus and nitrogen compounds are usually the limiting growth factors.
 
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