Brown Algae On Plants

[cynic]

Just wondered if anybody could give me some pointers on controling it, i keep cleaning it off but it doesent look very pretty o the plants.

Once the brown gunk is cleared away the leaf is fine underneath,

Any help

 

[minnnt]

Diatoms? How long is your light on for Jason? Also, with it being in the middle of the room it will be exposed to natural sunlight through your windows and doors and also by the room lights being on so this will be adding to the problem too. A Bristlenose Plec will rid your tank of Diatoms... (i could have given you one when you came for the filter!! )

 

[cynic]

Hmmm, with room lighting probably quite a long time, thing is i get up at 0330 so the kitchen lights on for say 30-35mins while i sort out, then kids are up at 7, obviously daylight although it is a north facing window so its hardly blasting through.

I hit the sac around 830/9 and wifey comes in from work around 1030 and has her dinner, then a bit of telly and bed at maybe 1130-midnight.

The actual fish lights if you like are on maybe 8/9 hours but general light who knows. I'm thinking of setting the timer to give light from 5pm till 11pm maybe?

 

[minnnt]

5-11 should be a good amount of time. Try and get yourself a bristlenose plec if you can... They do a great job of tank maintenance, especially with diatoms.

 

[cynic]

The wife has a shark fixation for some reason, would a flying fox do the same job as i can't say i'm a fan of plecs (gets ready to duck heavy objects) and i understand BN's are not that easy to get hold of.

I prefer shoaling fish TBH, i keep looking at some tetra's in the LFS, they are like little silver dollas but about the size of a 10p. Amazing to watch.

 

[minnnt]

BN's are extremely easy to get a hold of. They should be stocked by most LFS tbh and they will be cheap. They reach about 6" when adult, so stat relatively small.

No experience of the flying fox. but can't imagine it being anywhere near as good as a BN.

 

[TheRedDarren]

Or try ottocinclus, mine cleaned my tank up a treat

 

[cynic]

I picked up a bn from the LFS not my favorite shop TBH, (i feel like i've rescued the fish rather than bought them), s/he's in now and we'll see how it goes.

Looked small in the shop but next to the HR and the panda's its seems huge at 2in long

 

[minnnt]

You won't regret it mate. The smaller the better too as they will eat more as their aim is to grow. If you happen to have a male you will notice bristles appear all over his head. Very very nice fish!

 

[cynic]

I bought a couple of hilstream loaches in error, stupid me got carried away at the shop. They really upset the rest of the tank somehow. The HR esp they were in a really tight group. This guy, fine, everybody happy.

He's already turfed the cory's out and claimed the 'cave' i created when i scaped the tank although i may have to make it bigger. They have relocated to under the rock at the other end of the tank, no violence just a case of i'm biggest i think. Certainly no obvious stress signs so far.

 

[minnnt]

Sounds good Jason. You should notice where he/she has been when you turn the lights on tomorrow. They really are brilliant little fish. I think all tanks that are big enough should have one!!!

 

[cynic]

Weel mate after 3 days its amazing, i haven,t actually seen 'Ghengis' (leader of the silver people), take any fish food yet but there is not a scrap i can see anywhere on the bottom and my plants are really cleaning up well. The wife insisted i give him some sort of name. Esp as all the harlequins are called 'Bob' according to my daughter.

Amazing transformation, now i have the info on my plants too, well some of them. I have halved the light level in the tank to 1x 36wT8 as they should be fine. They will grow more with both lights on but will be happy while the algae is delt with.

 

[minnnt]

Good on ya mate. Pleased its getting sorted out! Told you they're good!