editkid Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I fear this brown algae - which most say is caused by silicates in the glass and stones of a new tank - is killing my plants. Amazonian Sword plants seems to be worst off. Their leaves are covered in brown gunk, which I can wipe off, but now it's starting to make holes in the leaves and it's making photosynthesis harder. So, my question, do I get a little magic algae remover solution from the store? Does it even work on brown algae? Or is there another way to save my plants and make my tank look nice again. By the way, my tank is 3-4 weeks young. Muchos gracias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Brown algae is normal in a new tank and will soon disappear. Some plants cope better in a new tank than others. No need to get some sort of chemical remover as it will disappear as the tank matures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editkid Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Okidoki then. Yeah, I've noticed that my Java Fern are really good at resisting the Brown Algae - makes me think of the Red Weed from War of the Worlds... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 yes it will disappear, is your tank near a window? I wouldn't worry too much, when I first set up my tank I had quite a bit of brown algae, I used to wipe it off the glass occasionally but eventually it went away by itself. Or try some ramshorn snails, I found they are quite good at eating brown algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editkid Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Yeah, my tank is near a window, but one that only gets indirect light. Not sure if I'm keen on calling in the snail army, yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Let your bristlenose get a bit hungry They should clean up that soft brown "new tank'' algae pretty quick. Better than using some chemical death :-? Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editkid Posted October 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 The Bristlenose is on the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wamonz Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I had a bit of this in my new Tank...i got a couple of golden Algae eaters...they had it shipshape in no time.....it's quite incredible, how fast they cleaned it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editkid Posted November 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Ah right, yeah. My bristlenose has disappeared - haven't seen him/her for weeks. I think he might have died somewhere in a little nook or cranny... So I decided to get one Apple Snail, which I thought would take care of the algae. Shows what I know :lol: There are now four Apple Snails in the tank and the plants are all over the place, eaten to bits. And the algae are still there, although lessening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Apple snails feed on plants. I use siamese algae eaters---they work harder when small and get a bit more lazy with age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Bristlenose eat it. If your bristlenose is too small get some more. Apple snails will just eat all your plants, and likely to go for a walk if you dont use a lid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me love fishy Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Don't count out your bristlenose, I had one disappear into my tank for several weeks and then popped back into view one day, much bigger and healthy looking. Good luck with your new tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editkid Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Yeah... I hope he/she surfaces when I change over my tank in the next few weeks. It's the cutest fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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