Brown Algae Everywhere

[Super Dude]

setup:

1.5 wpg
10 gallon
fake & real plants
api leaf zone-5 ml per week
1 limnophila sessiflora, some java moss
lights 10h a day
no added co2

i'm thinking i might need a few more plants. is this correct? any other suggestions?

 

[fatheadminnow]

This type of algae is most likely due to low or fluctuating Co2 Levels, or not enough water circulation.

What you want to do is try to remove as much of it as you can.

Then, I would lower the amount of light you have from 10 hours to 8 hours a day.

Also, is it possible to get a power head, as increased water circulation will help to remove this type of algae.

-FHM

 

[Super Dude]

kk i'll turn down the lites.

here's something retarded. the most algae is growing on a fake cabomba plant that is dumped on directly by the filter output. i don't think i'd be able to increase circulation enough. i don't want my tank to become a whirlpool. lol.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Okay, try to reduce the lights and see what happens from that.

-FHM

 

[aaronnorth]

you say brown algae. Is it diatoms or beard algae?

 

[fatheadminnow]

you say brown algae. Is it diatoms or beard algae?

I am assuming it was brown algae, not diatoms just because he said it is not growing in patches on the glass.

-FHM

 

[Super Dude]

it grows on individual sand grains, plus gaps in between the fake cabomba's leaves. these are the worst hit, everything else is just chillin.

the tank is 2+ years old, so i doubt it's the new silicone thing.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I know you don't want to, but I would strongly recommend getting a power head to increase the current a little, just so there are no patches of ammonia in your tank that could be "feeding" the algae.

-FHM

 

[aaronnorth]

it grows on individual sand grains, plus gaps in between the fake cabomba's leaves. these are the worst hit, everything else is just chillin.

the tank is 2+ years old, so i doubt it's the new silicone thing.

diatoms arent caused by silica. Substrates contain silica compunds which stay in the substrate for years. Diatoms last a few months!!