Algae Id?

[Misskiwi67]

Hello,

a fellow vet student friend of mine set up a new tank about a month ago and is having some major algae problems. She says the algae is brownish yellow and forms quarter sized circles on the back wall, and coats the rocks throughout the tank.

Any ideas on what this is and how to control it? I'm assuming this is a new tank issue???

 

[zig]

A pic is always good for a better idea.

I would guess because its a new tank its some sort of brown Diatoms, its very common, almost unavoidable, just keep removing it each day or as much as she can (an old toothbrush is good for this) and it should start clearing up after a while usually a few weeks, but it sure does make a mess when its there.

 

[Misskiwi67]

Any ideas on how to get it off the rocks? I told her to just stir them when she cleans so they don't have access to light anymore. Is that right??

Would you recommend algae-killing chemicals at all since this isn't a planted tank where there are plants to compete?

Sorry I put all this in the planted forum, but I trust you alls expertise...

 

[houndour]

I agree with Zig, sounds like diatoms. But can't really say for certain without a picture.

I would avoid chemicals and try and address the cause of the problem. But if it is diatoms then it should clear up eventually.

Some causes of algae might be over feeding, direct sunlight, lights on too long...cant think of anything more