Algae

[doresy]

Hi.
A while back I was converted to real plants as the artificial ones were ghastly. My new plants are Echinodorus Bleheri and Ophiopogon Japonica which seem to be growing well. I have noticed now that (what I think is) brown algae seems to be starting to grow on the leaves. I have 3 true SAE but they just graze on the green algae off the rocks.

Question 1. Can I prevent it from growing?.....2. How to get rid? (ie with chemicals/fish)

Any suggestions

 

[bogusmove]

There is a load of good info that you want to read in the pinned articles of the planted aquarium forum...

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

i had the same problem with algae on my amazon swords. and because they're such a broad leafed plant, it looked hidious. it got so bad it was like a paste of algae was just spread across the leaves.
introducing... tada! the plecostomus. i didn't think it would do such a good job to be honest. i cant find algae on a single leaf. its totally brightened up my tank and everything.
the only problem is the amount of waste they make. i had tried hill stream loaches and otto's which had no affect.
maybe if you bought a pleco and took it back once all the algae had gone if you dont want to keep it. its a really nice fish, especially when you get the really beautifully marked ones.

 

[modaz]

just brought 2 ottos today to rid one of my tanks of this problem and they aint stopped eating since i put them in at 4pm and they went to the thickest area of algae first

 

[doresy]

Thanks guys . Plecs are out although great fish! Waiting for LFS to get some Ottos in and that will be my first try. Will look into the pinned posts too......should have done that first I suppose

 

[Puffdaddy]

Careful on which pleco you choose (if you do get one) as they can get very big very fast.

What size tank do you have?

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I had this same problem, i bought some ottocinclus and they luved the brown algea, however if you don't want to be fussed with buying more fish i think that you can get phoshpate removers which reduces the algea growth, it's these bead things that come in a fabric bag that you put in the filter or on the floor of the aquarium