aquaticmum Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 This is probably just a silly question to you all, but do your tanks have brown algae on the glass that you have to clean once a week?. I use TLC once a week also, do you have to use it once a week? or can it be stretched out longer. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 FIRST OF ALL, CALM DOWN! CAPS IS NOT NEEDED! Secondly, brown algae is usually around in the first 1-2 weeks of setting up a tank. How long has yours been running? My tank gets only small amounts in the corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaticmum Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 has being running for 6 months, so not new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 What are your nitrate levels at? Usually algae is caused due to an imbalance between nutrients in the water and light. Solving the underlying cause of the problem solves the algae problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaticmum Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 i still get quite alot on my glass, and just wondering what i am doing wrong. I have a aqua one 620t and it is not overstocked, so not sure. maybe it could be that we a on bore water so I have high nitrates. might put my nitrate zorb back in tank filters and see if this makes a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 well you need to measure your nitrate levels before deciding whether they are high or not. just wondering what i am doing wrong As I said, mostly caused by a nutrient imbalance with light and plants. Doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Brown algae is caused by lack of light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Brown algae is caused by lack of light. Agreed! It can also be caused by high silicates, photoperiods over 11 hours and excessive nitrate or phosphate. Brown 'algae' are actually diatoms (single celled organisms) and they are a temporary problem in newly set up tanks. It will usually resolve and not come back but it can be a sign of imbalance so it is good to try and sort it out so you don't get worse algae problems. One solution is to get some fast growing plants that will use up the nutrients. Then, slowly (over a week or so) increase the photoperiod to 9 hours and ensure that your lighting intensity is good for the plants you are keeping. Do a weekly 50% water change and supplement with carbon (CO2 or liquid carbon). This will get things going in the right direction toward balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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