Janet Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 I have a new tank only been up about 6 weeks and I have brown algae over everything I have put the light on longer 14 hours a day but it is still not gone can someone help me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Huh??............um im no expert on alage...........but putting the light on longer is the what corses algae growth. and you also might wanna scrub it off. Shae 250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 A brown algae outbreak is common in new tanks. Cut back on the light and think about getting some algae eating fish (I have had success with Otos and brown algae). Cleaning it off and a water change will also help. In other words I agree with Shae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 I am having a problem with Brown alage in the only tank i have with a White flourecent light, which typically is the nicest looking tank i have, wondering what sought of fish will eat this algae? Shae 250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Bristlenoses usually will eat brown algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 6 weeks isn't long Janet. Give the tank time to establish and the plants to grow and that algae will disappear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Yes, brown algae is quite normal. It's very common in new tanks. Lighting time won't effect it much. However, the longer you leave the lights on, the faster it will burn out (14 hours is a good limit though). Eventually through cleaning and waterchanges it will go away. 6-10 weeks is usual before it suddenly dissapears... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted November 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Thanks for all the help I have been cleaning it off the glass & filter & heater the fish I have seem to be eating some of it I have 2 Gouramis, 10 neons, 10 glowlights, 4 corys, 4 golden barbs. The tank is 4' so there is plenty of room for them. Would getting some more plants help I only have 11 plants in the tank. It still looks a bit bare in places. I have some photos how do I put them up for you all to see. I am not very computer savy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Plants really only help with algae if they are growing well. Even then it may not help since the conditions for good plant growth are the same as for good algae growth (the idea is that the plants can outcompete the algae for nutrients, but that depends on the exact nutrient balance). On the other hand, plants are good for the fish to hide in, help with filtration and look good. So you should definitely get some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Hi Janet, You asked: I have some photos how do I put them up for you all to see. I am not very computer savy. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=2406 http://www.fnzas.org.nz/forum-images.0.html Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 Plants really only help with algae if they are growing well. Even then it may not help since the conditions for good plant growth are the same as for good algae growth (the idea is that the plants can outcompete the algae for nutrients, but that depends on the exact nutrient balance). This isn't exactly true. The plants out-compete the algae because they need smaller concentrations of the micro-nutrients the algae need. If the correct balance is present then the conditions for growing plants are not the same as for growing algae... In most cases there is too much of one or two trace elements - causing excess algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 so what fish will eat it? Shae 250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 Shae: Otos will, Can't say what else, the Otos eat it all. Warren: Where do you get your info ? I need enlightenment. I remember you pointing to the Sears-Conlin article. Do you have any other reading recommendations ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmarshall Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 go to www.algone.com works for me cost may be more than usual but if it works use it ,I have for 2 years and no algae for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 brown algae can be from over feeding as well , so cut back on feeding and see if that helps colinmarshall do you order it in from over seas ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmarshall Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Yes I order it from the www.algone.com site haven't found anything here that touches algae , depending on tank size which pouch you use my tank is 190 litres and I use one pouch a week , you put it straight into your filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Shae: Otos will, Can't say what else, the Otos eat it all. Warren: Where do you get your info ? I need enlightenment. I remember you pointing to the Sears-Conlin article. Do you have any other reading recommendations ? Hi Spooky, The best info I've found is the Sears-Conlin report. The principals in the report are spot-on. If you can find a book called the Optimum Aquarium this is probably the next best book about water in general. It's by the Dupla guys but is currently out of print... It doesn't tell you directly how to grow plants but it lists the water conditions where plants grow from all round the world. It's amazing to find that everywhere plants grow has just about identical conditions. If you go to 'The Krib' and read the article replies about the Sears-Conlin report there is a lot of info there too. There are many replies from some of the best plant keepers in the world. Another good source is the Nature Aquarium World series of books by Takashi Amano. Most of his books are to inspire you only, but book one has some info on how to setup for planted tanks. Aquarium Plant Paradise is also another reasonable book. The Aquarium Plants Manual by Ines Scheurmann, Dennis W. Stevenson is also an excellent source of information. I recently lost this book but will buy it again soon. It has a good section telling you what is wrong with your plants based off their appearance. Not to forget the FNZAS Plant Survey. There is a small section at the start telling you how to setup for a planted tank... Good hunting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cees Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 so what fish will eat it? Shae 250 brown algea -> bristlenose. I could use some ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cees Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 If you can find a book called the Optimum Aquarium this is probably the next best book about water in general. It's by the Dupla guys but is currently out of print... It doesn't tell you directly how to grow plants but it lists the water conditions where plants grow from all round the world. It's amazing to find that everywhere plants grow has just about identical conditions If you can read Dutch you can borrow my copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Duh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plecs Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 what is an oto???? thanks plecs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 otocinclus sp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plecs Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 thanks caryl! looked it up and found this: My aunt and I have both had the Otocinclus affinis in our tanks. In both our cases, this catfish when larger has attached itself to the bodies of its tankmates. That in turn killed them. I don't know if this is a normal trait for these fish or not... thye also dont eat red algae and blue-green algae apparently. Want one, never seen them anywhere though, although slightly concerned about the above quote! plecs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Warren: Thanks. I had already found most of it, so I'm glad I'm not missing too much. Plecs: Around here Otos aren't always available, but even when they are they tend to be unobtrusive and hard to notice. Especially when kept in a tank full of mollies as they tend to be at the LFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 otos are cleaner they are not in the tank to look nice, mind you i think they are cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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