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Brown Algae on my plants
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Hi,
John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.
I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.
With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.
I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.
If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.
I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.
I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.
Thank you
Darragh Sherwin
Brown Algae on my plants
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28 Mar 2011 12:26 #1
by Dejwys (Deividas K.)
brown algae on my plants, and it seems to be more on places where wood is.I have Ivy branch in my tank.should I take it out?
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28 Mar 2011 15:44 #2
by joey (joe watson)
not sure about the ivy, but as for the brown algae it is a diatom and will come and go. if the tank is set up recently this is very normal to get before the tank matures. if it is set up for a long time then try dosing easy-carbo fertiliser
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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29 Mar 2011 23:27 #3
by A1_aquarist (Aidan Dalton.)
Only use aquatic woods,eg bogwood,driftwood,mangrove roots,available in LFS. Brown algae are diatoms like joey said,more a bacteria than an algae. I found JBL filter boost scattered on gravel around problem area to be helpful in eradicating it.
No mouth bigger than the smallest fish in tank.
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30 Mar 2011 12:33 #4
by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
if it is set up for a long time then try dosing easy-carbo fertiliser
Would you just add it to the tank Joey or directly to the problem spots? Also would you know if this works on BBA? Have little tufts of it appearing and don't want it to get worse! And last question, should I just dose the normal amount or a little more? Conflicting evidence on the t'internet as usual!
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 13:35 - 30 Mar 2011 13:42 #5
by stretnik (stretnik)
If you have genuine Brown Algae, then that's exactly what it is and it is more than likely Diatomaceous, Cyanobacteria are blue/green Algae and consist mainly of Bacteria, but that's not Brown Algae. If your algae is in patches on your Substrate and plants etc, isn't filamentous and rubs off easily it is Brown Diatomaceous Algae and it should vanish when the Tank settles. Adding Ferts of any kind will exacerbate the situation, Algae in excess is a result of excess nutrients, poor Lighting or accidental introduction.
Brown Diatomaceous Algae is a result of Silicates in your Water supply or silicates being leeched by your substrate, add nothing to your Tank, do your Water changes and make sure there is surface agitation, the only Brown Algae that I know of that is bacterial in nature are Marine Brown Algae. It usually will disappear in a short time.
A Picture paints a thousand words so upload one if you can.
Diatomaceous Algae is a flat thin layering Algae, it doesn't have strings or filaments waving in the current it is like a thin layer of material just coating things, not really strongly attached.
The only bacterial laden Algae I know of in Fresh Water is Cyanobacteria which is blue/Green Algae but I'm open to contradiction, this algae can utilise chemicals in Water without Photosynthesis.
Kev.
Last edit: 30 Mar 2011 13:42 by stretnik (stretnik).
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30 Mar 2011 18:54 - 30 Mar 2011 21:35 #6
by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Not sure whether to post this here or a new thread, sorry for taking over the thread! Here you go Kev, sorry about the quality.
Edit: Not sure how to upload the photos correctly, and if I uploaded the photos right to Flikr!!
Edit 2: Realise now that you were talking to the OP Kev, sorry!
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30 Mar 2011 19:42 #7
by Dejwys (Deividas K.)
I removed my branch from the tank and next morning tank was shiny, my algae eaters did a good job. do somebody know the name of this fish?
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 20:48 #8
by stretnik (stretnik)
Hey , you are going to laugh given the topic but your Fish is a Chinese Algae eater lol, they become very aggressive so be prepared to shift him/her before you lose a Fish due to aggression or bullying.
Here's a link.
www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Gyrinocheilus_aymonieri.php
Kev.
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30 Mar 2011 21:09 #9
by Dejwys (Deividas K.)
I was looking for some algae eaters so I went to the shop. I asked one of the sellers about this fish, he told me that this fish is not going to get any bigger than the current size so I got two of them. not the firs time like that, the more I go there, the more Im disappointed about theirs knowledge of aqua world...
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 21:14 #10
by stretnik (stretnik)
Stick with ottocinclus if there are no Fish large enough to eat them and there is enough Algae to feed them.
Siamese Algae Eaters are the best in my opinion, make sure what you are buying is a true SAE as there is a similar one that is no where nearly as effective.
Google the differences to familiarise yourself.
Kev.
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30 Mar 2011 21:29 - 30 Mar 2011 21:41 #11
by Dejwys (Deividas K.)
is the SAE and flying fox is the same fish?? and thanks for advice Kev. did u get my PM ?
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 21:43 #12
by stretnik (stretnik)
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 21:45 - 30 Mar 2011 21:47 #13
by stretnik (stretnik)
Last edit: 30 Mar 2011 21:47 by stretnik (stretnik).
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30 Mar 2011 21:55 #14
by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Thanks Kev. The tank has been up and running for a food few months so would have thought the Diatomaceous Algae would have gone? From your previous post you said that 'adding ferts of any kind will exacerbate the situation' so just wondering if you would still add the Easy Carbo to combat the brush algae? Thanks again for all the help, your a font of knowledge as usual!!
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stretnik (stretnik)
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30 Mar 2011 22:10 #15
by stretnik (stretnik)
I have to be honest and say that I have only read reports on the web about Flourish excel being used directly on Brush Algay and being successful, you can add the easy carbo as a basic fert to encourage plant growth that in turn helps eat up nutrients that would cause Algae to flourish, how many months as a guesstimate? In real life, is the Algae rusty or brown?
Kev.
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30 Mar 2011 23:25 #16
by A1_aquarist (Aidan Dalton.)
Ur Problem was caused by the ivy branch rotten in the water by the sound of things Dejwys,hence the improvement once you removed it.Bacteria breaking down(rotting)ivy can result in a slime too. Use LFS woods. Lets know if problem is resolved without the Ivy. I'd be curious,cheers.
No mouth bigger than the smallest fish in tank.
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30 Mar 2011 23:46 #17
by A1_aquarist (Aidan Dalton.)
Bill,brush algae are a result of bad water chemistry unfortunatley. Caused by high levels of Nitrate,Phosphate. Ur plants will never grow properly with algae on leaves (easy carbo would be a waste). My sugestion would be to remove the plants (anubias) and lighty scrub away algae with a toothbrush (careful not to be too agressive,don't tear leaf),then correct ur nitrate,phosphate levels,bring em down with water change,use of filter aids available in LFS,use a test kit to achieve right levels,then replant tank.
ONLY way if u want algae free plants! (check out my tank in Tropical plants section.)
Aidan.
No mouth bigger than the smallest fish in tank.
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31 Mar 2011 12:44 - 31 Mar 2011 12:47 #18
by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Bill,brush algae are a result of bad water chemistry unfortunatley. Caused by high levels of Nitrate,Phosphate. Ur plants will never grow properly with algae on leaves (easy carbo would be a waste). My sugestion would be to remove the plants (anubias) and lighty scrub away algae with a toothbrush (careful not to be too agressive,don't tear leaf),then correct ur nitrate,phosphate levels,bring em down with water change,use of filter aids available in LFS,use a test kit to achieve right levels,then replant tank. ONLY way if u want algae free plants! (check out my tank in Tropical plants section.) Aidan.
Hi Aidan, thanks for the reply. I have been doing 10%-20% water changes once a week, and any tests I do the nitrates are around 10. I'll have to check the phosphates level. The anubias are wrapped around the wood at this stage so is it ok to take them off? (assuming it is!
). Would a nerite snail do anything for the algae? Was thinking of getting one. Also could you suggest which filter aids would be suitable?
Oh and @stretnik - In person the algae is a very dark brown and the tank is up and running around 7-8 months now
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31 Mar 2011 19:49 #19
by A1_aquarist (Aidan Dalton.)
Leave Anubias on wood Bill,if at all possible,no harm to give wood a scrub either,plant will do better attached to wood.Nitra zorb or Phospa zorb are good in filter,ya can recharge nitra zorb in salt water to re use again,good value,replace after 4 months. Snail should be ok with tough leaved plants,NOT soft leaves Like hygrophilia etc,they tend to chew on whole plant not just algae. Apple snails are ok with anubias & java fern. (An odd lettuce leaf if ya see any leaf damage)
No mouth bigger than the smallest fish in tank.
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01 Apr 2011 22:13 #21
by NosIreland (Andrius Kozeniauskas)
Brown algae/Diatoms are very common in the tanks. Especially in newly setup tanks.
As already mentioned they appear because of silicates in the water.
To get rid of it in newly setup tank, I do 50% WC at least 2 times a week.
WC generally helps to get rid of it unless the water that you're putting in the tank has silicates.
In my experience Otocinclus are the best diatoms cleaners.
JBL has silicate removers that you can put in your filter but I have not tried them so I don’t know how effective they are.
I think stick with water changes and get some Otos.
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02 Apr 2011 12:40 #22
by joey (joe watson)
SAE's and flying foxes are not the same fish, althought their common names do get mixed up
flying foxes have a smooth straight stripe that ends at the base of the tailfin, whereas SAE's have a rough edged stripe that runs all the way thru the tailfin
i have 4 SAE's and 3 ottos, the ottos stay hidden in the day, the SAE's seem busy but have their work cut out in a 450l. best off with w/c's and hard graft
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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Brown Algae on my plants
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