I just have a couple quick questions. I have a 55 gallon tank with 10 juvi cichlids and a small catfish and I just bought a Picostomus (sp?) Today. I have had my tank going now for about 3 months or so and Brown Algea is forming throughout my tank. Rocks, wood, gravel. My first question is, I thought the algea would be green, why is it brown?, Because of a high ph for my fish? Just wondering and also would the Picostomus be the best thing for my tank. All of my fish are really doing well and dont see any problems with my tank. This is a great site so I figured it wouldnt hurt to ask. Thanks!
Algea in my tank
- Thread starter bassman
- Start date
There are different types of algae. Some green some brown, so there isn't anything fundamentally wrong with your tank. As for the pl*co, it may or may not eat the algae, if that's why you go it. If the the algae is not taking over and choking your tank, it's probably not a big problem. Do you have plants in your tank? Live plants would compete with the aglae for nutrients and some of it will die back. If your tanks looks healthy overall, and your fish are happy and healthy, I'm sure it's all fine.
Copper
Copper
That is really the only reason I got the Pleco. I figured he would help curb the algea a little. When I put him in today, my fish didnt know what to think of him. I dont have any Live plants in my tank. Just plastic ones Any recommendations with Africans? Yea Im really new with this. Doing well with it, just curious about all the algea. I have a brush for the glass and vacum the rock once a month.
If you want to keep it down, what about increasing the amount of light the tank gets per day? Brown algae is from dinoflagellates which can get out competed with by plants.
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Okay, if you don't have live plants in the tanks, keep up regular water changes and maybe reduce the time your tank light is on. Also take a look where your tank is sited. If it's directly exposed to an open window or door most of the day where sunlight can contribute to your algae growth, consider re-siting your tank (ugh!) or closing blinds or curtains through the day.
Thanks Guys, I think I will try some live plants and see how they do. You are right Copper, My tank sits across the room from a window. My light usually doesnt get turned on till about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Then I turn it off around 9:30. Now that its getting late in the year, I noticed light coming right in on my tank. Closing the blinds would probably help too. I tend to leave them open during the day. I have seen some tanks that are just totally overgrown with Algea, I really wanted to slow it down before it got crazy. Very much appreciated!
Milky
Follow the white rabbit.
let me know
keep us posted on the algae situation
hopefully the pleco will eat the algae
ive heard that if there are live plants
in the tank that the pleco will eat the
plants instead of the algae but im
not sure.... ihvae a pleco in my tank
and still get algae and have taken
out the live plants im going to see
if the algae goes away or what
the plants kept getting disloged anyway
im not sure if it was the plec or the other
fish.
keep us posted on the algae situation
hopefully the pleco will eat the algae
ive heard that if there are live plants
in the tank that the pleco will eat the
plants instead of the algae but im
not sure.... ihvae a pleco in my tank
and still get algae and have taken
out the live plants im going to see
if the algae goes away or what
the plants kept getting disloged anyway
im not sure if it was the plec or the other
fish.
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