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I have never had a problem w algea build up but for some reason my new tanks I have set up all have it. When I do a gravel vac I vacum up this brown dust like substance like almost looks like cinnamon. My fish are fine but my gravel and my decor is getting this film over it that wont come off. Its a brownish green color. What can I do about this and what is the best thing to use? I cleaned my glass with a mag-float but it just come back. The tanks arent overstocked. My 29 gallon even has twice the gallons of filitration on it.

That's brown algae or diatoms. They like water high in silicates and often take over new tanks. After they use up the silicate in the substrate, decorations, and water they usually dissapear. Using playsand or other silicate based sands seems to contribute sometimes. If it doesn't go away by itself most algae eaters will eat it since it's so easy to scrape off and it doesn't grow as well in higher light. You will get green algae in higher light though.

It won't harm your fish, the only thing the algae is really doing "wrong" is that it is unsightly. I prefer not to add chemicals to try and solve algae problems, and would rather just scrub it out or snag an algae eating fish. Diatom algae really isn't a major problem, and it is quite common. There are a range of different fish that are reputed to snack on it, but I have no idea whether you have room for any of them in your tanks.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

In a 10 gallon is a blue paradise, another 10 is a pleco, female betta and a blue paradise and in the 29 are 4 cherry barbs, 2 albino cories and 2 small angels.

From Freshwater.about.com:

Other Names: Gravel algae, Silica algae

Color: Brown

Appearance: Begins as brown patches on the gravel and/or glass, then rapidly coats most surfaces of the aquarium with a thin, dark brown coating that is easily removed. Unlike blue-green/slime algae, it does not come off in large slimy sheets.

# Cause: Excess silicates & nitrates
# Inadequate light
# Low oxygen levels Brown algae is a common occurrence in a newly set up aquarium. It is generally caused by too little light, an excess of silicates, an abundance of nutrients, and too little oxygen. Silicates can build up through tap water that is high in silicic acid, and silicates that leech from some types of substrates.

Cure:
# Wipe off surfaces & vacuum gravel well
# Use silicate adsorbing resin in the filter
# Increase the lighting
# Stock a plecostomus or several otocinclus

This type of algae does not adhere strongly to the tank surfaces, and is easily wiped away. Vacuuming the gravel with a siphon will quickly remove coatings from the substrate. Increasing the lighting will inhibit regrowth of brown algae. As a new tank matures brown algae is often eliminated naturally by plants and green algae competing for nutrients.

Some suckermouth catfish will readily eat brown algae, most notably plecostomus and otocinclus. If the problem is due to high silicates in the water, and the brown algae persists, a special silicate absorbing resin can be used in the filter.

Prevention:
# Use of RO water
# Regular water changes
# Regular aquarium cleaning
# Good lighting As with any algae, keeping the tank clean and performing regular water changes is one of the best preventative measures. Unfortunately it is still possible to get algae in spite of regular maintenance, especially in a newly established aquarium. Prompt attention to sudden algae growth will prevent more serious problems.

Last edited by Bob Wesolowski at 05-Jan-2006 16:26

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