Brown Looking Algae

[Nicolas]

My plants in my planted aquarium are getting a brown looking algae on them. I only have 40 watts on a 55 gallon. I had ordered a Aqualight 130W 6700k, but get this both bulbs came in shattered. So I have been running my 40watt tube for 24 hours just to keep the plants alive. I don't have any fish yet. Today I added some of the AlgaeFix. The label says you can use AlgaeFix with planted aquariums. Am I taking correct steps in solving this problem. My new bulbs should be arriving in about 3 days. It would be nice to have the algae gone before I triple my tanks wattage.

 

[Liam]

The brown algae is diatoms, its common in new tanks and in low light tanks, ottos or bristlenose plecs are very good at eating it. 40 watts is enough to keep the plants alive for now just keep the light on for 12 hours that will be enough only the algae will benefit from the extra light hours, plants need a dark period to take in oxygen. I have not used anti algae stuff, so dont know if it will work, most reviews from here suggest that they dont work very well. The new light will give you over 2 watts per gallon so you may need to use Co2 and ferts to keep algae at bay.