brown on leaves

[peanutbowl]

frequent water changes are helpful.

Can be if the source of silicates is your substrate or equipment. However in my case, which may not be typical, there are a good bit of silicates in my tap water. So I'm adding more every time I do a water change. I live on a giant sand bar that sits between the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.

If you are looking for immediate liberation from the evil scourge of diatoms, get some ottos or snails. They come in handy for other aquarium related plights as well. Otherwise, wait it out.

 

[whyzee250]

i do weekly water changes of about 10%. Nothing in my tank is eating it, but i don't think i have room for another fish. (3 zebra danios, 4 neon tetras, 3 small corys) can i add something.

 

[peanutbowl]

Snails wouldn't be too much. I believe they are a good addition to any ecosystem. My pond snails reproduce heavily if i feed the tank too much food, so they can be a good indicator of that as well.

 

[jmhart]

Snails wouldn't be too much. I believe they are a good addition to any ecosystem. My pond snails reproduce heavily if i feed the tank too much food, so they can be a good indicator of that as well.

Pond snails eat plants, so I'd be careful.

 

[peanutbowl]

I haven't seen any evidence of that in my tank. Anecdotal I admit.

 

[DeeDeeK]

i do weekly water changes of about 10%. Nothing in my tank is eating it, but i don't think i have room for another fish. (3 zebra danios, 4 neon tetras, 3 small corys) can i add something.

A couple of ottos won't be a problem. Don't let the whole inches of fish per gallon thing throw you. And ottos love diatoms as well as green algae.