Brown Algae

[ajs2294]

What exactly causes the thin layer of brown algae you get on ornaments and surfaces in tanks. And whats the best way to remove it?

 

[Gaz_S]

Check this page out.

http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/maintenance1/p/algaebrown.htm

 

[drobbyb]

I don't agree with some of the advice given in that article. Using RO water by itself is very bad for fish. Fish need the trace minerals found in non-RO water for biological processes and for growth, not to mention RO units are fairly expensive.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

What exactly causes the thin layer of brown algae you get on ornaments and surfaces in tanks. And whats the best way to remove it?

i got 3 otos to solve this problem in a 20 gallon tank. it worked very well, i never have brown algae anymore.

they're tiny catfish, about 2 inches. get 2 or 3 of them and they'll clean it up in a matter of days.

 

[the biffster]

What exactly causes the thin layer of brown algae you get on ornaments and surfaces in tanks. And whats the best way to remove it?

water changes to reduce your nitrates
upgrade your tubes and reduce your lighting
less than 10hrs
and aerate the tank a lot more

i sorted mine out just by lowering my nitrates
and changing my tubes for new ones and cleaning
my cover glasses

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

What is RO water?

 

[the biffster]

What is RO water?

revers osmosis water were it is passed
through a set of filters and a membrane
which strips all the minarels or TDS
as they are known so the water that comes
out is pure water it need to remineralized to
be used but with minarels that are needed to keep
that breed of fish RO units used to be really
expensive but over the last few years have come down in price

 

[RadaR]

Brown algae is caused by ammonia, hence why you see it in new tanks. The ammonia concentrations can be low enough to remain undetectable on a fish test kit. When combined with light, the ammonia will trigger algae spores resulting in the brown algae you see. It's cause has nothing to do with "excess nutrients" like nitrates or phosphates. In a non planted tank, these indeed do not help the situation but it is the ammonia that is the route of the problem. Just keep up water changes as well as removing decaying matter. Manual removal is quick.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

What is RO water?

revers osmosis water were it is passed
through a set of filters and a membrane
which strips all the minarels or TDS
as they are known so the water that comes
out is pure water it need to remineralized to
be used but with minarels that are needed to keep
that breed of fish RO units used to be really
expensive but over the last few years have come down in price

Cheers....basically like super filtered water then.