Brown Algae Everywhere

[Gooner]

Hi, I have a very low tech tank and have a small problem with brown algea.

When the light comes on in the morning there is no sign of any algae, come mid afternoon when the light goes off there is patchy brown algae on the surface of the sand. The light goes off for a couple of hours and when it comes back on again the algea seems to have dissapeared, another couple of hours later and the algae is back, light off during the night and in the morning it has all gone. Here we go again!!! This has been happening for a couple of weeks now, the same cenario avery day. I have taken the sand out and boiled it but the algae re-appears after a couple of days.

Any idea how to get rid of it?

I have got less than 1 wpg with a sand substrate of less than an inch and ornamental plants.

Cheers,

Gary.

 

[Themuleous]

Sounds like diatoms to me, could you post a pick?

If it is diatoms then an otto or two would soon hoover them up. They are also very common in new setups and normally go after a few weeks/months.

Sam

 

[Gooner]

Cheers Sam,

Have put four otto`s in a couple of weeks ago but they do not touch it. The tank has been set up for about 18 months now so it should be settled. It only came to light a couple of weeks ago when I removed a Geophagus and can only assume that now he is not there the sand is not being moved around as much. It is easy to get rid of either by sucking it up with a syphon or just disturbing the sand but it comes straight back. Gets a bit tedious having to clean every day.

Gary.

 

[Themuleous]

It does look like diatoms, but if the ottos aren't touching it then it could be a brown slim type algae. You're probably right about the geophagus, they are active fish they were probably keeping it at bay previously.

Have you got shrimp or snails in the tank, they are the other good algae eaters.

Sam

 

[Gooner]

Doesn`t seem to be letting up.........No snails or shrimps as yet, not sure they will be compatible with the present stock situation, perhaps someone could advise.

Have added a small Jurupari for the time being but I think he is a bit small to make a considerable difference.

Have thought about chemicals!!! anyone had any good results or are they just an instant fix. Will the chemical just mask an underlying problem? ( not sure what that could be as the water stats are as they should be, nitrates slightly high imo, 50ppm, but that is what come out of the tap around here ).

Any advise would be greatfull.

Cheers,

Gary.