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I have a few questions here. My nitrates never raise above 10 ppm ,could this be a potential problem? My tank has been gettin brown algae since the cycle was halfway through. It has been cycled for about 1 month. The brown algae even came before i started adding very small amounts of fertilizer for the plants. Could the brown algae be related to the low nitrates? How can i go about of getting rid of the brown algae?
Here is my plants i have in the tank(all doing well exept for the java moss)
Green wendtii
red wendtii
bronze wendtii
ancharis(some call it anacharis)
lace java fern
java fern
anubias lanceolata
anubias moliwee
anubias frazeri
java moss
water sprite
sagiteria subulata(dwarf)
sagiteria chillensis
-this may sound like a lot but the ground in the tank is only 75% filled up in a 29gallon tank. The light is 2 5500 k 20watt bulbs. Here are the fish-
10 zebra danioes
5 spotted corey catfish(still have to find the real name and the are not jullies)

Last edited by clownloachfan at 13-Jan-2005 18:19

Brown algea are called diatoms, and are a low light algea. You can get rid of them by adding more light, but in my experience a new type of green algea will usually form in their place. Usually plants will outcompete the green algea types. Hopefully that will be the case for you. I just did a drastic whole tank wipeout out of frustration of algea taking over my plants.

As long as you have at least 5ppm your plants will do ok and cyanobacteria will not form. I've never had the cyanobacteria from low nitrates, because my nitrates are generally between 10-20. Someone else might add to that for you.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty's right Brown algae is usually found where the light is low.You have 40 watts over what size tank?

10ppm of Nitrates is almost perfect for a planted tank.

Some Otto's would munch up that brown stuff.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I have a 30 gallon with only 30 watts. i have never had any brown algae in it. Will ottoes really eat that bad stuff? How many ottoes could i safely add to the system i have now
10 zebra danioes
5 spotted cories

Last edited by clownloachfan at 14-Jan-2005 14:31

I would add another cory and 4-5 ottos. As they will have a feast on your brown algea. Many more will do fine but 4-5 is all you need.




==fish1

thanks, i will have to go out some time this week to get 5 or so ottoes.