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SubscribeBrownish algae...
jakemmy
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Fingerling
Posts: 19
Kudos: 6
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Registered: 13-Mar-2007
Didn't know where else to put this. I have a 16 gallon, been set up for about 2 months now. I have one gourami (mini), 1 angel fish, 2 platy's and 3 small tetras. I know, alot.

Anyway, I have fake plants in there with light colored gravel. All levels are within normal range. I have brownish algae (I think) on the plants and mostly gravel.

I do a 25% water change weekly, gravel suck weekly as well. Not overfeeding, and I have learned to reduce light to about 7 hours or less a day.

How do I get rid of the algae - is it algae? When I gravel suck, it doesn't come off the gravel.
Post InfoPosted 23-Apr-2007 05:10Profile PM Edit Report 
wish-ga
 
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Mega Fish
Dial 1800-Positive-Posts
Posts: 1198
Kudos: 640
Registered: 07-Aug-2001
female australia
EditedEdited by wish-ga
Only set up for 2 months? Does the algae form on the glass too or just gravel/plants. Does it wipe off easily with your hand?

How long were you set up before adding this stock? And was the tank set up for other fish and is now stocked or was it started from scratch 2 mths ago?

How old is the tube in the light - new or was it used for another setup in the same tank?

25% is quite a change weekly. Usually 10% weekly or 25% fortnightly. I suspect you are doing the larger water change per week to counteract the overstocking and subsequent waste output. However, this may be affecting the bacteria and sending you into a minicycle.... doing more water changes just compounds the issue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~
Post InfoPosted 23-Apr-2007 05:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
jakemmy
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Fingerling
Posts: 19
Kudos: 6
Votes: 0
Registered: 13-Mar-2007
Yes, the algae forms on the glass too, but it is easily wiped off. When I wipe it, it's green. But appears brown on white rocks. I was set up for about a month before adding stock. It was started from scratch. The tube in the light is only 2 months old as well.

I am doing a larger water change because of the stock and waste.

So what should I do? Thanks again!

Anne
Post InfoPosted 23-Apr-2007 17:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Babelfish
 
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Administrator
Small Fry with Ketchup
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Registered: 17-Apr-2003
female australia us-maryland
Sounds to me like diatoms. A type of algae that I think most new tanks get plagued with. I know mine always did and it always showed up on white rocks .

Here's a few threads that I found doing a quick search on this site.
One from Planted

One from Water Quality

Hope those help shed some light on the issue .

^_^

Post InfoPosted 24-Apr-2007 00:25Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
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male usa us-colorado
Hi,
Diatoms are a normal occurrence in a new tank, and,
at times, in older tanks as well.

Diatoms thrive on Silica (SiO2). It is what their skeletons
are made of. They ingest it and grow. Now, the silica
comes from two sources. First, and normally, high silica
comes from our normal aquarium gravel. It is in the dust
that occurs from grinding the grains of Quartz (SiO2)
together during manufacture and shipping.
The Second source of Silica, is from our tap water. Some
locations, depending upon the source, have silica in the
water and we add that silica to our tanks during water
changes.

In general, diatoms, prefer slow moving water, and low
light. That's in general. However a large amount of
silica in the water will promote their growth even in
fast moving, brightly lit water.

The small catfish commonly called "Ottos" love the stuff
and will feast during an outbreak of diatoms. If your
source is not the tap (check with your town water company),
then regular water changes will dilute the silica in the
water and they will go away naturally.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 25-Apr-2007 23:49Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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