Plants And Brown Algae

[AndreaC]

Hi. Do plants cause brown algae?? Im asking as over the last week ive had this problem develop, well I think its brown algae Its brown in colour but slimey/sludgy. Its rapidly growing on and in filter and on tanks sides (oddly not front or back) Its clogging my filter like wanno and ive just had to clear the outlet again as it was real slow. You should of seen the brown slime/sludge come out of there and around the propellor, also on the casing. Its Working fine now, whilst I was doing that I took out the carbon and added filter wool.

Upon just being told the fern I have isnt actualy an aquatic fern I was wondering if this could be the cause of it?? Ive now also just removed the plant and thrown it away.

Here is the plant

The brown algae stuff is also growing on leafs of the plastic plants, you can see here on top of this plant: Sorry it doesnt show well on photos but it is actualy alot darker.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Plants are the best defence against algae, not the cause of it.

You probably have brown diatoms, often associated with a new tank. A small group of Otos is called for.

Dave.

 

[AndreaC]

My tank isnt new, its been established for a while?

What are otos??

 

[Dave Spencer]

What are otos??

Otocinclus sp. These little critters:

Keep them in a group of at least three or four. They are small, peaceful critters that spend their entire day ridding your tank of brown algae.

Dave.

 

[AndreaC]

Ahhh they sound good. Will try some, providing there easy enogh to get hold of round here.

Does this brown slimy stuff sound like brown algae then?? Just wondering as I never thought algae to be slimey?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Andrea, I have experienced every type of algae except for the brown stuff. I thank my Otos for that!

Dave.