Brown algae

**Justikanz** · 14th Dec 2005, 01:23

How do brown algae come about?

Last time, when my lights are beginning to fail, I noticed that brown algae will start to appear... So, I assumed that they appear because of insufficient light, given all other things constant.

Now, my 1ft office tank, which is newly set up is showing some brown algae, but only under 2-3 leaves of 1 marsilea plant...

I will fill in the form later, if there is a need... But I am more interested in why brown algae can appear and in this case, why only at this wierd location.

**barmby** · 21st Dec 2005, 23:46

Plantbrain will be able to help.

**eyalco** · 23rd Dec 2005, 00:12

In planted tanks I noticed brown algae, as you indicated, apearing in a low lighting tanks.
Adding more light (or reflectors where there are non) will usually clear out the problem.

In non planted tanks, treating it with silicate absorber cleared out the problem
(of course with vaccuming the algae etc').

**barmby** · 30th Dec 2005, 00:16

hi eyalco (friend from Israel), greetings!! welcome to AQ Singapore

**eyalco** · 31st Dec 2005, 01:32

Thanks

**Justikanz** · 6th Jan 2006, 10:58

The mentioned brown algae. I noticed that they appear only on the older leaves of the Marsilea quadrifolia... Why ah?

**|squee|** · 6th Jan 2006, 20:36

Um, where? =x

**Justikanz** · 6th Jan 2006, 22:06

Oh, those not brwon algae? Then what are they?

The brown stuff is not the natural coloration leh...

**PeterGwee** · 6th Jan 2006, 22:57

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Oh, those not brwon algae? Then what are they?

The brown stuff is not the natural coloration leh...

Then its dying.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**Justikanz** · 6th Jan 2006, 23:15

Huh?? I see the same kind of colour on glass... Really not algae? Then how do brown algae look like?

**PeterGwee** · 6th Jan 2006, 23:25

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Huh?? I see the same kind of colour on glass... Really not algae? Then how do brown algae look like?

Seems like loss of pigment which should be NO3 issue. Add enough of it and add a tad more CO2 if the critters response is normal.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**Justikanz** · 6th Jan 2006, 23:52

But there are fresh green leaves of the same plant... And all the other plants are growing like crazy... Hmm... Anyway, will dose nitrates as suggested...

**|squee|** · 7th Jan 2006, 00:41

On the glass or the plant?

**Justikanz** · 7th Jan 2006, 00:59

I had seen similarly coloured stuff on glass and some leaves. So, I thought this is brown algae...

**PeterGwee** · 7th Jan 2006, 01:07

Originally Posted by Justikanz

I had seen similarly coloured stuff on glass and some leaves. So, I thought this is brown algae...

Those leaves are of no use anyway if infection is that bad. Something is not environmently right with your tank unless you did corrections recently. The algae is a great bio-indicator of your tank conditions. You still have room for improvement if the algae is growing rapidly. The algae doesn't lie...

Regards
Peter Gwee

**Justikanz** · 7th Jan 2006, 01:18

Oops... I meant on other tanks...

Now I had never seen them in my tanks... Except on 2 of the Marsilea leaves in this tank and another 2-3 in my office tank... Everything else is growing healthily...

I was guessing maybe they were blocked from the light by the background plant that I only recently pruned away...

Possible?

**taz_boy** · 7th Jan 2006, 16:30

i had those "brown" stuffs on my java ferns leaves too....

**neon** · 7th Jan 2006, 17:57

If it is brown patch on the glass or thin film , it is diatom. Oto can clear fairly effective.

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