FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello everyone

I am having a terrible time with a brown algae problem in my 10G tank. In there I have 2 young platies, and 6 neon tetras.

I do weekly 30% water changes but by the end of the week my tank is full of brown algae that I have to do a full decoration scrub and vaccuum.

I leave the light on for about 12 hours a day and have tried getting a higer wattage light for my hood but apparently they don't make them ???? In there right now I have a Aqua-Glo 15" 14W flourescent bulb. I can't find any higher wattage for this size?

I've also cut their feeding in half in case I am overfeeding the fish. This still hasn't helped and I am afraid my fish are starving. LOL

This problem seems to have started since I moved to a new city. Do you think different water in the different city could be causing this?

Any suggestions on how to stop the algae would be GREATLY appreciated!

Last edited by newfishfriend at 12-Nov-2004 11:54

Test your water for phosphate. What is your bio-load of the tank? (fish and such), and do you have any plants?

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

Buy half a dozen Otto's and they will eat it all up for you

The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an bacon and egg breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

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.

- Geo9rge Booth, theKrib.com

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

Why are you leaving the light on so long every day? Are you growing plants? If not, then I'd cut the amount of light drastically. That is probably a big part of the problem. The algae is thriving on all the light they're getting, with no competition from plants.
Fish do need daylight and nighttime, but they don't need that much. They will do just fine with eight hours of daylight.

---

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