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Hello all. A few weeks ago, i noticed that i was starting to have some brown algae problems. As time went on, the algae started to attatch to the plants. Luckily, i had(still do) plants i could rub the brown algae off of easily(anubias,java fern) or plants that grew fast enouph so that the algae could not take hold(ancharis). Right now, i have aponogetons that are just starting to sprout and would like them not to get the brown algae on them. I also have java moss, water sprite, cryptocorynes and sagiterias. At first, i was told to do something to the lights. They are now just on for 11 hours a day compared to 10 hours at 40 watts over a 29 gallon. Temp. is 78. Ph-7.0. Nitrates- 10 ppm. Nitrites and ammonia at 0ppm. Phosphates at 10ppm(i think, dont have the card with me here). The tap waters phosphate is 1 ppm. I use very small amounts of fertilizer,(iron and natural aquarium vital).I was also told to buy ottos to eat the brown algae. this would not get the phosphates gone though. i read that i should add potassium to the tank as this would some how enhance the plants ability to use the phosphate. i was olso told to use seachems phosguard but i have heard that some fish are delicate to it. the tank is not overstocked with only 10 zebra danios and 5 corey catfish(10ppm of nitrates with healthy plants probably helpping the factor). The final question. WHAT SHOULD I DO!!!

By the way, the brown algae came before i started fertilizing the plants.

Hi,
I've been having similar problems and after much research as no-one on this forum seemed to be able to help I think I've come up with the solution. I initially thought adding ferts was the problem but as I see it, a lack of various trace elements means the plants can't efficiently use the phosphate hence algae everywhere. I've been dosing my tank several times a week with flourish and have noticed a definate reduction in various types of algae and a drop in the phosphate levels. I'm only a few weeks into the dosing and the change has been obvious. Steer clear of phosguard if you have clown loaches. I lost several very quickly after adding it to the filter. Using chemicals is just a band-aid for the problem. If you can do it in a more natural way your fish will thank you for it.
Cheers,James.

"Brown algae Forms in soft brown clumpy patches. In the freshwater aquarium, these are usually diatoms. Usually indicates a lack of light or an excess of silicates. Increased light levels will usually make it disappear. Easily removed by wiping the glass or siphon vacuuming the affected area."

A couple of things will help you to knock down your brown algae: water changes, more intense lighting and well established plants. Toss in some h. polysperma to suck up nutrients.

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

James- Exactly what type of fertilizer are you adding? You say that it is "flourish" which leads me to think that it is a Seachem product. All of their products have the first name as flourish. I dose my tank with Flourish iron(just started) and a product similar to flourish excel(natural aquarium vital). I have access to Flourish plant supplement and flourish trace through my dad. He has the phosphate problems and too with high light and no brown algae. Is it possible that potassium is the way to go?

Bob- I do not want to do too many water changes as my nitrates(10ppm) are at a good spot that i do not want to lower. i did increase the amount of time the lights were on to 11 hours a day. I am sure that some of the plants i have had for a few weeks or more are established such as my ancharis, java fern, lace java fern, anubias lanceolata, 2aponogetons, a green and red wendtii, and a dwarf sagitaria. I have trimmed about 6in.off of the ancharis 3x's in three weeks. The java ferns have put up at least four leaves each(alot more but not to their potential yet,still growing),anubias has put up 1 leave, green and red wendtii put up 2 leaves, sagitaria=3leaves. I would buy the Hygrophylla poysmera but the fish stores around here dont have it. would it do good in my tank? Look above for the tank info.

Hi,
Yes it's Seachem "Flourish".(just flourish). I should point out too that I have about 3 watts per gallon of light for the tank and I'm also using a DIY Co2. It's the 2L Coke bottle with 1 tsp yeast and 2 cups of sugar filled with water to the point where the bottle starts to taper in. This mix lasts for a minimum of about 2 months. I think you'll find the addition of Co2 will help as well.
Cheers, James.
check this site out. It may give you some ideas....
http://www.cam.org/~tomlins/algae.html

Last edited by james747 at 16-Jan-2005 13:36

CLF,

With the exception of the anacharis (elodea), the plants that you have are generally low light and slow growing plants. Those plants do not easily compete against algae so you are probably fertilizing the elodea and the diatoms. Nitrates are nice at 10 ppm but who is using them?

Great, do your water changes, increase your lighting length and your lighting intensity. Your ligt8ing is at 1.4 watts per gallon. If 3 wpg or more is bright, 2 or more is medium then your lighting is dim, great for the plants you chose.



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