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I have three tanks that have been up and running for 4-5 months now. In all three tanks I see signs of brown algae and in the 15-gallon there is green algae (not cyanobacteria) growing on the fake plants near the surface. I would like to fix any water quality problems that cause this and also look at short-term cures.

Here is some tank info.

5.5-gallon
2 x 25W incandescent
1 x betta
Ammonia – 0
NitrIte – 0
NitrAte – <5
PH – 8
GH – 180
KH – 120

15-gallon tall
1 x 8W florescent
8 x neons
2 x albino corys
Ammonia – 0
NitrIte – 0
NitrAte – 5/10
PH – 8
GH – 180
KH – 110

90-gallon
1 x 32W florescent
2 x angles
Ammonia – 0
NitrIte – 0
NitrAte - <5
PH – 8
GH – 180
KH – 90

NOTE: Fake plants and gravel in all three. This was the first GH/KH I’ve taken so I’m not sure if the readings are stable but the rest seem to be. I do 20% water change and gravel vac every 8 to 10 days.

I really have no ideas on how to fix this long-term but for the short-term I am thinking of moving the corys to the 90 and then stocking all three tanks with a couple ottos. I’ve heard their fragile fish and really should be kept with live plants and I’m not sure how they would fair my water conditions. And then maybe plants might help. Anyone know of some nice looking, low light plants?

A month ago I had three nice, clean looking tanks and now I don’t. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Brown algae is caused by low light, a lack of water movement and a buildup of waste products. Green algae can survive and grow in the same environment. Oftentimes, green algae (small green spots on the glass, plants and hardscape) indicates a healthy tank. Your tanks are not overstocked.

You can add lighting to inhibit brown algae growth. If your surface agitation is weak, consider adding an air stone to boost water movement. In any case, this algae can be easily wiped from surfaces.

Green algae on plastic plants can be controlled by periodic cleaning in a solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. The plants should be rinsed thoroughly in tap water before being placed back into your aquaria. To be safe, use a dechlorinating agent when adding the plants back to your tank.

I am a freak on water changes. More often is better. If you do 20% every 8 or 10 days, you have what I would call an irregular routine. Choose two days during the week that you can devote a half hour to maintenance on your tanks. This means:
1. Water change 20%,
2. Wipe the interior glass with a neutral scrub pad,
3. Lightly vacuum the gravel,
4. Change filter pads and clean your filter!

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright