Brown Algae

[ae.felstead]

Hi, Just got back from a few days away, I am 3 weeks into a fishless cycle, all is going well apart from a few dead plants and a build up of brown algae on the glass and gravel, is this normal.
Thanx
Allan

 

[rabbut]

Allen. Welocme to the forum. Yes, the algea is normal for a new tank. It is caursed by excess nutrients. Not a lot you can do about it, except wipe it off I'm afraid.
HTH
rabbut

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Hi, Just got back from a few days away, I am 3 weeks into a fishless cycle, all is going well apart from a few dead plants and a build up of brown algae on the glass and gravel, is this normal.
Thanx
Allan

Hi Allan, i think it is fairly normal to have a buildup of brown algae (diatom algae) in the first few months. It should subside after a while. The dead plants I can't help with -- I did my cycle before putting them in -- but you might want to post in the planted tanks forum for more advice.

Well done for doing a fishless cycle!!! It will be worth it in the end!!!

 

[paul_219]

U must do some weekly water change.

 

[fishfreak22]

Green algae is healthy but not brown. if it definately is brown then you have a problem. Check the wattage and type of your aquarium light to see if it compatible with you tank. Brown algae can often be caused by poor lighting.

If that is all good try doing more regular or greater water changes, you may have too many fish for the tank size so the water may get polluted more often.

Hope this helps

 

[ShoC]

I wouldn't say brown algae is unhealthy,
yes it can be caused by poor lighting, or excess silica??? (or something else forgot the name)
as for the plants I cant help, maybe get some fast growing plants to take excess nutrients out to fight the brown algae, Hornwort is a good one also as is java fern.

 

[squarefish]

I had brown algae appear at a few weeks into the cycle, it (mostly) disappeared by itself a couple of weeks later. I think its a normal part of a maturing tank?

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Brown Algae is a diatom that thrives in low-light situations, and can indicate excess silicates and phosphates. They are extremely common in new tanks because of the silicates that can leech out of the glass, but both silicates and phosphates can come from tap water as well.

Solutions:
- Usually goes away by itself eventually
- Easy to remove manually. Deep vaccing gravel will cause it to be rubbed off the substrate and sucked out. A toothbrush or algae scrubber can be used to remove it from decorations and glass
- Some algae eaters will consume brown algae...not a recommended course of action unless you really like the fish and want to take care of them after the algae is gone.
- Phosphate removing filter media and/or the use of RO/DI water is sometimes recommended by various sources, but far too costly in my opinion for such a minor problem.