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Then I guess you didnt really need to ask the question

We mearly offered an alternative solution to adding chemicals.



[span class="edited"][Edited by songbird1963 2004-07-03 11:44][/span]

i couldn't find a bn so i went to the lfs and they offer a service called rent-a-plec. i got a 3" common pleco that i have to bring back when he is 5-6" they then can sell him again. the whole purpose is so that he doesnt out grow the tank. i got him for half the price of normal because the can sell him again. he cleaned my 55 gal. in about 3 days

is it in frot of a window? mine is only parialy in front andi got it, just put up a towel removed it from the wall and its almost gone now that i also heve the light on less often

The chemicals that you have for your marine tank are most likly supplements for the tank. For example he probably uses Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, etc.

Brown algae will grow in high light too not just low light. It's usually diatoms which tend to grow in high silicate water and a silicate remover can help. Our water is extremely high in silicates and carries brown algae which quickly coats any container of water left to sit and will grow outdoors in full sunlight. It's also growing in my 10g plant tank with 40w of light on it. 3 otos cleaned my 55g in a week and it had strings of the stuff hanging off the caves although I kept it off most of the glass. I got tired of waiting for it to clear and it was only getting worse. You can treat with chemicals but it will just come back when your chemical wears out or gets lowered by water changes. Plus you have the chance of getting too much in there and harming your fish or plants.

Yes, extra light will help. Brown algae loves low light.

Doesn't light help control brown algae? I heard if you use a high powered aqauarium light it will go away.

If you're having algae problems have you checked the phosphate levels in your tank?

Is it a common pleco? Try a bristlenose if so. Definitely ottos for brown algae though.

[span class="edited"][Edited by jake 2004-07-04 07:25][/span]

I too am not a patient person. My plec is too slow in getting to the algae so I finally cleaned the glass the other day and now I'm going to start on the plants.
He just stays on the back wall and certain plants, and all the plants in the tank are fake.
I thought he'd have it cleaned up in a week or so, but I guess it just depends on the plec.
Good luck!

If you're not overstocked definitely get a school of ottos. If you're not patient these guys will annihilate that brown algae in no time. I had it really bad too... covered one of my tanks almost 90%. A few ottos had it gone in two days and it's never come back since. That was almost a year ago and my ottos are still very happy little algae eaters.

If you get ottos be patient with acclimating them because it should be done over a little time because they can be sensitive to water quality.

Can I just use a liquid algae destroyer to get rid of or at least control brown algae?

I've used the algae destroyer in the last tank I had and nothing bad ever seemed to come of it. I only have plastic plants so I opted to use the algae destroyer against all advice and the algae has almost all dissappeared overnight and my fishies seem frisky as ever.

I also have a saltwater tank and our maintenance guy uses all kinds of chemicals to make everthing grow beautifully...so chemicals are not all bad in my opinion.

I have the same brown algae problem. I got a BN but he doesn't seem to eat the brown algae. Don't know why. I guess different fish have different tastes.

BTW, how long does it take for the brown algae to go away? I've been waiting patiently for 5 months. I have to pull out all of my silk plants every week and clean them with a toothbrush.

Should I get new silk plants? In other words, does the presence of the brown algae on the plant continue to reproduce?

I have no patience.

That's the whole name of the game in this hobby.

Hi Paige,
If you are patient it willl go away or as suggested some Otto's. I have 3 in my tank and they do a good clean-up job. I don't like putting chemicals in my tank if I can help it. Who knows what some of that stuff can do to your fish!

I had a hard time finding one too, took about a month or more of looking. You should be able to find Otos pretty easy though.

I would go for a couple of oto's and not a BN because you already have a pleco. If you use an algea destroyer make sure it is safe with plants if you have them.

I've never seen BN pleco's around here...if they sold them I'd get one...the algae is just so ugly and I have no patience.

I have read that chemicals dont always work and if your patient, it will go away. Or you could get a Brisltenose Pleco or a couple Oto's. They are very industrious against brown algae. As I have said before my Pleco cleaned the whole 29 gallon in 24 hours.

Why? the more I read, the more I think its better not to use chemiclas unless you really have to...Natural is always better.



[span class="edited"][Edited by songbird1963 2004-07-02 13:52][/span]