Brown Algae in Established Tank

[chub04]

Lately I've seen some brown algae growing in my established freshwater tank (been running for 7 months). Should I still be seeing brown algae after 7 months? I used to have a large common pleco and when I had it I never saw any algae because it was so good at keeping the tank clean, but it got too big so I had to get rid of it and replaced it with two hillstream loaches, but they don't seem to eat any of the algae.

Anyways, I know brown algae, or diatoms, feed off of a few different things. I haven't checked silicone levels (whats the best way to do that?) and my nitrates are low, around 10 ppm. What's causing all this brown algae? I've just started seeing a lot of it in the last couple weeks. I have fake plants in my tank, they used to be spotless, now they're covered in brown stuff, although it's easy to wipe them off. Any ideas? How do I get rid of it?

 

[henningc]

Nerite snails will take care of it. You can get them from the Aquatic Arts, Bob's Tropical Plants or Aquabid. Both of the sources above are great to deal with. I'd get 4-6 snails.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Chub- what type of lighting do you have and how long do you keep the light on? Too much lighting intensity, lights on too long or old/faded fluorescent tubes can cause excessive algae.

 

[chub04]

Chub- what type of lighting do you have and how long do you keep the light on? Too much lighting intensity, lights on too long or old/faded fluorescent tubes can cause excessive algae.

I have a marineland LED that came with the 75 gal. tank. I leave it on for roughly 10-12 hours. Is that too long?

 

[OrionGirl]

Silica, not silicone.

If it wipes away, that's really going to be your easiest solution. If it's a planted tank, making sure the plants have the nutrients they need should help them do well enough to crown out algae.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I have a marineland LED that came with the 75 gal. tank. I leave it on for roughly 10-12 hours. Is that too long?

That's generally too long, unless like said above, you're actively taking steps to monitor and add CO2 and nutrients to mitigate the effects of the long photo period. 8hrs max is a typical lights-on time.

 

[dougall]

IME Otocinclus catfish do well with brown algae/diatoms.

I don't see where you put the size of the tank, or a total list of occupants, That would be a big consideration before trying to add livestock..

as for the sudden appearance, I would look into something having changed, substrate maybe, or adding some rocks?

 

[adam0702]

Chub- what type of lighting do you have and how long do you keep the light on? Too much lighting intensity, lights on too long or old/faded fluorescent tubes can cause excessive algae.