Brown Algae?

[AllenLeicester]

Hi all , ive had my tank setup with fish in for a couple of weeks now, but ive started to get brown algae on the sides of the glass. What do you think it is ? How do i get rid? Or prevent it ?

 

[Matty P]

Scrape it off with a scraper.

 

[GRJ]

I got some of those magnet things and they are brilliant for cleaning the glass. My tank was covered in brown algea inside and its come up like a new one. They are readily available and easy to use! GRJ.

 

[Matty P]

I have one for my marine tank and its great. I used to have a smaller magnet for my tropical tank but the felt on the non cleaning side of the magnet got dirty. Just make sure the glass on the outside of your tank is clean or the felt side will be ruined.

 

[Bullrock74]

My brown algae was caused by too little light for the size tank I had. If you don't have enough light, the coditions in the tank are favorable for brown algae (diatoms) to grow on the aquarium walls. But, once sufficient lighting is added, green algae will begin to appear on the tank walls.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Brown algae is a diatom that thrives in low light situations with silicates and phosphates. Almost all water systems have phosphates, and they come from other organic sources as well so totally eliminating phosphates is difficult. Silicates can also come from tap water, but in new tanks they can leech from the glass as well. Luckily brown algae comes off easily...I use a toothbrush to scrub it out of smaller areas or off uneven surfaced rocks/decorations. It should eventually go away over time (can sometimes take over a year), but if it really starts to drive you crazy you can look into increasing the lighting, planting some fast growing plants (Anarachis, Hornwort/Foxtail) to suck up nutrients and out compete algae, and/or even look into finding a suitable algae eater for your tank. I wouldn't rush into buying an algae eating fish however...definitely do your research ahead of time, and understand that you will have to supplement their diet with vegetables eventually.

 

[Slufa111]

Brown algae is a diatom that thrives in low light situations with silicates and phosphates. Almost all water systems have phosphates, and they come from other organic sources as well so totally eliminating phosphates is difficult. Silicates can also come from tap water, but in new tanks they can leech from the glass as well. Luckily brown algae comes off easily...I use a toothbrush to scrub it out of smaller areas or off uneven surfaced rocks/decorations. It should eventually go away over time (can sometimes take over a year), but if it really starts to drive you crazy you can look into increasing the lighting, planting some fast growing plants (Anarachis, Hornwort/Foxtail) to suck up nutrients and out compete algae, and/or even look into finding a suitable algae eater for your tank. I wouldn't rush into buying an algae eating fish however...definitely do your research ahead of time, and understand that you will have to supplement their diet with vegetables eventually.

Is that why some people say that sand is a better substrate because it doesnt really block light like stones do?