Brown Algae Help Please

[Pablo_F]

Hi,

Newbie to the forum, first post and all that so please be nice lol

Had my tropical tank set up since about October time and have 9 Neon Tetras, some artifical plants and a ruin ornament.

Since around Christmas I have been having some trouble with brown algae in the tank, so just after some advice please. The algae seems to be on the gravel, ornaments and plants mostly. I have increased my water changes and feed the fish a minimal amount once a day, but the algae keeps coming back.

Am I right to clean the algae off the plants and ornaments when I do the water changes or is it best to leave it to sort itself out? Is there anything else I can do to help get rid of it?

Many thanks in advance - looking forward to your replies

 

[Truck]

It's caused by ammonia and should go with time, do 50% water changes bi-daily and increase overall circulation.

 

[waterdrop]

I agree, increased water changes should help and cleaning off any algae you can just prior to the water change can help further. Deep gravel cleaning (assuming you have gravel) should continue as the way to do water changes. As Truck said, ammonia is one of the causes and the other is light. How many hours are you leaving your light on for and what is the type and wattage and the water volume of the tank? Fewer hours of light can help (not less than 4 hours though.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

Since you are not growing real plants, you could try just leaving the lights on when you are in the room. The fish do not need the artificial light for their needs so the lights really should only be on when someone is there to watch the fish. Algae needs various chemicals for good growth but it also needs light. By limiting light, you may well be able to control the algae almost completely.

 

[Pablo_F]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I have a 48 litre tank with a 15 watt bulb that is on for 9 hours a day.

I'll change the water bi-daily and see if that helps. Fingers crossed!

 

[waterdrop]

Wow, if you don't have live plants, you really don't want that light on 9 hours. Just turn it on when viewing. Is there ambient room light where the tank is?

~~waterdrop~~