I have brown algae in my tank, so from reading entries in this forum I decided to go to my LFS to get some Otos. The girl in the shop didn't know what they were, and they hadn't got any anyway, but said that brown algae was toxic to fish and i should leave the aquarium light off for a few days. Knowing the reputation of the knowledge of LFS employees, I presume she's talking rot - but can someone confirm this please?
Otos and brown algae
- Thread starter cathrynlisa
- Start date
Its bad allright, but its not TOXIC to your fish... Now your fish will not eat brown algea, only the soft green stuff. The best thing to do is remove whatever decorations and plants have been "infected." Then soak them for 15 min or so in a 10% hot bleach solution. Rub off any remaining algae, and put back in the tank after air drying.
another in the great many wrong answers proferred on the unknowing hobbyist by LFS people who couldn't find their hand if you showed them their arm.
brown algae is NOT toxic and neither is it BAD. plants that have brown algae are not INFECTED. brown algae is simply diatom growth. no more and no less. most fish will not eat it but oto's will. i'd not worry about it ... it's easily removed by rubbing it with a scrubee. if you leave the lights on longer or increase the wattage, you can cultivate a green algae growth which will outcompete the brown algae and it may disappear.
brown algae is NOT toxic and neither is it BAD. plants that have brown algae are not INFECTED. brown algae is simply diatom growth. no more and no less. most fish will not eat it but oto's will. i'd not worry about it ... it's easily removed by rubbing it with a scrubee. if you leave the lights on longer or increase the wattage, you can cultivate a green algae growth which will outcompete the brown algae and it may disappear.
Diatoms. This is very common in new set ups. It is caused from the silcas(sp) from the glass that leech out into the aquarium. Eventually it will stop and the diatoms will go away on thier own even if you do nothing about it. Of course it is unsightly so in the meantime you can remove it on your own. Otos will eat the brown alge(no, it is not toxic, not even close) but when it is gone you will have to come up with another food source for the otos.
Marinemom
Marinemom
silicates are also found in silica based sand and gravel and silicates will leach from these, causing brown diatom algae to form. can also be found in municipal water supplies. over time the silicates will be diluted through numerous water changes if your water doesn't contain silicates and the algae will go away on its own and be replaced by green algae, like stated. you can use a silicate remover to help remove access silicates in the water.
She had never even heard of Oto's ?
If you don't know much about fish that's fine, admit it. But what gets me is these morons try to pretend like they're experts, and when you ask them a question will confidently spout off something completly false, like brown algae is toxic. :thud:
If you don't know much about fish that's fine, admit it. But what gets me is these morons try to pretend like they're experts, and when you ask them a question will confidently spout off something completly false, like brown algae is toxic. :thud:
I knew somone would come back with this one. I was just asking. Anyway it's not a matter of just scraping it off, it keeps coming back. I figure if it can feed something, then it may as well.
I don't know if they are just weird, but I got two green cobra guppies yesterday and they still haven't stopped eating the brown algae. They are cleaning up the place beautifully! They ate some flake too, but they seem to really love the brown algea.