Brown Algae

[Chrispy]

Ok so if you look at my signature it gives details of my 10 Gallon. ATM I am having a brown algae outbreak and it’s covering everything. Now I am not sure of the cause (it might be a natural cycle or something), but I would like a way to solve it without chemicals to kill the algae and wiping it down once a week. Now the tank has been set up for about 7 months since the last time i did a major clean and killed the cycle. I do water changes (not as regular as I should) and the last large water change I did was the beginning of January and I did about 80% water change. I have done several 50% changes since then. My tank is next to a window; however it only receives direct sunlight for about 30 mins a day. Other then that it’s indirect light bouncing off the building next door. Now up until January 5th I had no light and just a class top so the sunlight was its only light and as for plants I have about 5 of the bulbs you drop in, so I haven’t a clue the plant type. So after the 5th I got a cheap black strip light and put in a HAGEN “Power GLO” fluorescent bulb that’s 15 watts. Well even though I have the light the tank is still getting extremely brown. Now I called the LFS, not a chain, and he suggest I get a couple ottos. Now I would, but I fear my tank would not be large enough for them (because I literally know nothing about them) or it would overcrowd my tank. I believe that’s all the info, if you need more please ask. My first thought was the window, but that cant be enough light, it’s a window that really receives not that much sunlight because the adjacent building is taller and about 12’ away.

Thanks for the help…

[Chrispy]

does anyone have an idea. this stuff is covering my tank and is starting to creep into my filter and it looks horrid.

[Ghost Knife]

Originally Posted by Chrispy

does anyone have an idea. this stuff is covering my tank and is starting to creep into my filter and it looks horrid.

I had this problem a few weeks ago in my 55G Goldfish tank. I began opening the blinds to the room during the day because I read that low light is the primary cause of brown algae. After doing this and getting a 2nd very little Pleco. The brown algae has now been reduced to a couple fake plants and decorations and the Plecos seem to keep it in check now. I also had it in my filter so I took the filter apart and cleaned it all out.

[shade2dope]

Before getting fish Its good to figure out the problem first+if you havent read ottos like to drop for no reason.lol.It could be poor light or it could be nitrates.I belive it to be nitrates as you said you dont do water changes as you should can you post you water stats.Your lighting,and how long you keep them on for.

[emc7]

Brown algae is diatoms, it likes low light, hard water and high nitrate. Not much eats it, so I wouldn't add more fish. Unless you want to do total blackout, cutting the light won't help. More light, and it might get replaced by green algae which your pleco would eat.