Brown algae on rocks?

[LogJam]

Hello,

On one of the rocks in my aquarium there has grown a small brown patch, which looks like a stain. Is that most likely brown algae? What causes this? How do I get rid of it - with a fish that eats brown algae?

Thanks,
LogJam

 

[Boohoo]

Otocinclus do a good job cleaning up brown algea.

 

[LogJam]

That is good to know. But what does an algae eater eat after it eats all the algae? Will it eat the flake I give my other fish?

Thanks!
LogJam

 

[zave2340]

what you have is alge caused by diatoms, if it is a new setup it will go away once delt with


One the question of what does a alge eater eat once the alge is gone.... you have to feed him sinking alge wafers. they are cheap, and mine LOVES them. Also, it is great to get alge eaters some wood, they love to eat it and it is good for them.

good luck

BTW if the alge is on the tank glass at all, just use a alge sponge to take it off.

 

[LogJam]

zave,

Thanks! You mention the brown algae in my new tank will go away once dealt with. How do I deal with it? Currently it is only on one spot on a rock, (but it is a decent-sized spot) and not anywhere else.

Thanks!
LogJam

 

[Watcher74]

Yeah, how do you deal with it in an unplanted tank?

I'd LOVE to know.

The plant oriented people say, just add this or that so the plants outcompete. Well what if you don't have plants?

Outcompete it with green algae?

 

[RTR]

Green is less offensive to many folks than brown.

 

[Watcher74]

RTR, so that is the only way to get rid of diatoms without plants? To culture green algae?

 

[StreetCypher]

Sorry, a little off topic,
but i once had an algae problem, it didn't really bother me so i let it grow.
It ended up looking like this. The top was covered in dark green algae. Then a thin layer of lighter green algae covered the dark green algae. Then a sort of brown algae started to make "arms" and thread off the rock in chunks.
The algae problem fixed itself, now my tank is absolutely algae-less

 

[zave2340]

for my alge i just rubbed it a bit. I also went and got a common plec. BUT i would not get one of those they get to big, i have to ring my to the store soon, he is starting to get big.