Brown Algae Consistent Problem

[ashg657]

Hi all.
I am new to these forums having just found them on a search engine...

I have a Trigon 190L tank which has been up and running for about 18 months now. It's a healthy tank, never any problems with fish health etc. The only problem I have is brown algae...specifically affecting the live plants that I have.

I currently have 2 x 24W lights on for 10hrs per day. I vacuum the gravel once per week with a 10% water change. Filter is cleaned at the same time. The brown algae is difficult to remove from the plants as it tends to 'stick'.

Yesterday, I went into the local fish shop to discuss the problem. They said that it's probably due to the lighting. My bulbs have not been changed throughout the entire 18months, so they suggested getting new ones.

I just wondered what the general view is on these forums? Would you change the bulbs and/or can you suggest any other ideas to resolve? The bulbs are about £15 each so wanted to check on here before going ahead with the purchase.

Many Thanks,

Ash.

 

[mike455555]

its probably diatoms. i know lots of people say that dont get a fish to eat it... but it is the diet of lot's of fish (or part of it)

it generally occurs in new tank's / when there first set up.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I would say stirring up your gravel every week is causing an ammonia spike, ammonia causes brown algae (diatoms). When you get a spike its sometimes difficult for the filter to deal with it. Grab an ammonia test kit and have a check, I doubt its the bulbs if its a fairly new tank then the bulbs if T5's rarely need replacing with the new kit now days.

 

[ashg657]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I forgot to mention, I already have 4 x algae eaters in there. They've been there for about 2 or 3 months now and don't appear to have had any effect on the problem. Unfortunately I don't know the scientific name for these fish - probably should have noted it down!

The plants themselves, I assume, are also in good health, since they are growing (fairly rapidly) with plenty of new sprouts which are a nice bright green. It takes just 1 or 2 weeks before these new sprouts are covered in the same brown algae again, though.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Do you have a pic of the algae? Check the ammonia too and let us know the result.

 

[ashg657]

ps3steveo...

I believe they are T5's...as I say the tank is only 18months old and looking on the Juwel website, they do appear to come with T5's.
I have not yet tested the water for ammonia (or anything else, for that matter). If stirring up the gravel would cause such a problem, how often would you suggest instead?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well in your substrate in a planted tank we don't really vacuum the gravel as it houses beneficial bacteria and can have a lot of waste in it, disturbing it can cause ammonia spikes so If you have a lot of plants and a good filter and flow in your tank then I'd leave it. Like I say some pic's would be good to be 100% but its up to you. Also if you insist on carrying on adding a bag of Purigen to your filter will help as its a good diatom/ammonia filter.

 

[ashg657]

Ok great. I can get some picture uploaded this evening.

The tank isn't heavily planted (I wanted to try and resolve this before introducing more). I'll checkout the ammonia and let you know, although this probably won't be until the weekend.

I don't insist on vacuuming gravel once per week, I was simply under the impression that this should be completed on a schedule irrespective of whether or not the tank is planted.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well think about it this way,on the homepage is a tank of the year pic with a carpet of HC growing on the substrate, impossible to vacuum.

Not always necessary.

 

[mike455555]

Well think about it this way,on the homepage is a tank of the year pic with a carpet of HC growing

that tank looked amazing ... i wander who's it is

 

[ashg657]

Just checked it out...look's impressive. Good job.

I think it would be fair to say that I've probably gotten into a habit of doing it regularly to prevent the build-up of algae on the substrate as well without addressing the actual cause of the problem, which is clearly evident on the plants themselves. I'll keep this thread updated with pics/posts on progress as I'm sure this thread will prove useful for many others.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Let us know your ammonia test before you do a vac and a day after.

 

[ashg657]

Ok I will do that. For now, here's some pics...as you can see, not very pleasing to the eye!

I mentioned earlier that it appears to stick...but, if you get a very soft toothbrush and brush it gently, it actually comes off quite easily.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Yeah your ammonia must be high, what filter are you using?

 

[ashg657]

It's just the one that came with the tank itself:

http/www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/filtration.html

Bioflow 1000

Have you got a link to a test kit that you would recommend?