Brown Blotchy Algae On Leaves...

[bogwood]

My real plants have just recently started getting brown, blotchy algae(?) on their leaves... mainly the Swords... it wipes off but I'd like to prevent it if I can...

Is the brown algae due to not enough light - or too much light? or is it due to something else?

 

[@ombomb]

Brown Algae (Diatoms) is generally caused by high Nitrates / Phosphates.

Do you have a nitrate and phosphate test kit? If so what are the readings?

How often and how much water do you change?

How often do you vacuum the gravel?

 

[bogwood]

Brown Algae (Diatoms) is generally caused by high Nitrates / Phosphates.

Do you have a nitrate and phosphate test kit? If so what are the readings?

How often and how much water do you change?

How often do you vacuum the gravel?

Ammonia and Nitr'i'tes '0'... Nitr'a'tes '10' (recent 20% water change)... sand not gravel substrate: vacuumed weekly when doing water change. Lighting: 11-ish hours per day.

I thought brown 'algae' was due to not enough light... whereas green algae is due to too much?... I don't have a phosphate test kit but I do have an 'anti phosphate pad' that sits in the tank or filter for around a month and is supposed to sort the problem...

 

[@ombomb]

I think it's more the case that this type of algae will survive despite low light levels rather than because of them...

 

[George Farmer]

I assume you're referring to your 20 Gallon. How much light do you have? If it's less than 30W fluorescent with reflectors then I'd guess the brown algae is due to low light. How long has the tank been set up? Diatoms are normally associated with new tanks.

Otocinclus species love soft, brown algae.

 

[finz]

Just FYI... I see this in my new tanks all the time. The brown algae always goes away after a month or 2 and is replaced by green. And yes, Otto's will usually take care of any algae.

My tap water comes from a reservoir which I can see from my house. 7.0 right out of the tap. I always use Aqua-Safe and a pinch of salt.

 

[zig]

Are you sure this is an algae or is it just a nutrient deficiency, swords are heavy root feeders and will require some sort of root tabs beneath them IME or they will eventually start to show signs of deficiencys.