I have a 28gal planted tank and I bought some Hagen Plant grow liquid with iron... No matter how much I use (even 1/8th the recommended dose) A crap load of brown-slimey-lookin' algae always pops up...!?
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Fertilizer = Algae
- Thread starter IsaacMTSU
- Start date
irishspy
There is a stargate in my aquarium.
It's...
Brown algae:
Forms in soft brown clumpy patches. In the freshwater aquarium, these are usually diatoms. Usually indicates a lack of light or an excess of silicates. Increased light levels will usually make it disappear. Easily removed by wiping the glass or siphon vacuuming the affected area.
My tank has been up for about 5 months
Brown algae:
Forms in soft brown clumpy patches. In the freshwater aquarium, these are usually diatoms. Usually indicates a lack of light or an excess of silicates. Increased light levels will usually make it disappear. Easily removed by wiping the glass or siphon vacuuming the affected area.
My tank has been up for about 5 months
Diatoms can also be from phosphates in the water. Although it can pop up in a newly set up tank, I find that I always have it in my tanks, and that is why I keep bristlenose plecos and otocinclus.
I have always heard its silicates not phosphates that mainly cause diatoms to pop up. If this is a newer tank don't worry, they disappear on their own eventually. Mine took about 6 months in the 55. But they are pretty easy to wipe off. Otherwise based on the size of your tank and current inhabitants otos and BN plecs make good use of it.
There is several ways you can fight alge, you can introduce fish which will eat it. Try purchasing some Otto's they are hardy eaters, and just love any type of alge it seems. Remember most alge break outs are due to poor water parameters, and fish being over feed. Check this parameters out, you may be surprise what you find out.
I wouldn't recommend adding fish to fight algae, especially when diatoms will go away on their own. Otos need an established tank (not just cycled) and will only touch newer algae. They also need supplemental feeding. And not all algae has to do with bad parameters. Most people have great water quality but excess nutrients that the plants are not using and the algae can capitalize on.
You mentioned that your tank is planted. How much light do you have and what is its color temp? You might not have enough wattage or have the wrong color. How are your plants doing?