Brown Algae, 10 Gallon

[bordercollie05]

Hi,

I have a ten gallon planted tank that is starting to show some brown algae on the plant leaves. What can I do to get rid of it? Currently there is one female betta in the tank, but she can easily be moved to another tank if I need to add an incompatible fish. In the future I'd like to have either a few guppies or a type of small schooling fish, maybe a type of tetra.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

BC05

 

[aaronnorth]

Hi,

I have a ten gallon planted tank that is starting to show some brown algae on the plant leaves. What can I do to get rid of it? Currently there is one female betta in the tank, but she can easily be moved to another tank if I need to add an incompatible fish. In the future I'd like to have either a few guppies or a type of small schooling fish, maybe a type of tetra.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

BC05

brown algae is usually a sign of not enough light how many watts do you have and do you t5/ t8/ t12

 

[Luketendo]

Sometimes happens in newly set up tanks.

 

[bordercollie05]

It must be the light, my fluorescent light broke and I've been using an old incandescent one. I've been working on it, but I'm having trouble finding a replacement ballast, which I think is what went out. I didn't realize algae could come from too little lighting. Why is that?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Themuleous]

Mostly because brown algae isn't actually algae, is diatoms, which are also single celled organisms. When the light is poor the true algae doesnt grow so there is a niche the is left empty the brown 'algae' is able to cope in lower light levels so take up the slack that is left by the true algae.

Well thats what I would think anyway

Sam