Strange Orange Algae

W

willsher

AC Members
Dec 13, 2006
81
0
0
I have recently setup a 29 gal. aquarium. This is my first aquarium and I feel i've been fairly successful with it having not lost any fish since I set it up nearly two months ago.

Recently the tank has been growing a strange orange algae toward the front face of my tank. I have heard of several colors of algae, green seems to be normal, but not orange. The only information that I can find online about this says that I must have some sort of nutrient imbalance and that it should turn green eventually. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with this type of algae, if it is harmful, and if it is, what I can do to remove it without harming the fish in my tank.

About the tank:
The tank has a Fluval 204 canister filter with activated carbon, ammonia remover, and bio media.
I am also running a Power filter rated for a 30 gal aquarium with more activated carbon in it.

The fish:
The tank currently has 1 Cory cat, 1 Upside down cat, 3 Black Tetras, and 1 Albino something or other that is about 3 inches long and looks like a shark. (I bought it yesterday and forgot the name :*(

The water tests are generally stable and as follows:
Ammonia @ 0ppm
Nitrate @ 5-10 mg/l
Ph @ 7.5 - 7.8
Nitrite @ 3 mg/l
GH @ 6 degrees
Kh @ 5 degrees
CO2 @ 5 (This is based on a chart with my test kit)
Hardness @ 300 (Based on a test at Petsmart last night)

Any ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated.
 
is it orange orange? or more of a brown orange? and as always, pictures would be helpful
 
It seems like it darkened a bit since yesterday, but it was pretty orange orange when it got started. I can't seem to take a decent pic with my camera but maybe the one here will help.

PC070006.JPG
 
I think I remember reading somewhere that brown algae is fairly common for newly set up tanks. New tanks may have a higher amount of silicates from the new glass and gravel which favors brown algae over green. Over time as the silicates go down, green algae will eventually replace the brown. Also, depending on how much light you have will effect which type of algae develops. Less light favors brown algae, and more light favors green.
 
yeah, those are diatoms or brown algae. they form in new tanks. they should die down after a while, so don't worry about it.
 
fishcatch22 said:
yeah, those are diatoms or brown algae. they form in new tanks. they should die down after a while, so don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

i agree
 
Thanks for the advice. It has gotten a lot worse since last night and I plan to do a 30 percent partial waterchange and remove and clean some decorations in order to do a better gravel vacuum job. Hopefully I can minimize the severity of the growth without using chemicals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom