Question on Brown Algae

**stocker** · 1st Feb 2006, 13:22

I'm having some of this algae, which I read from the stickies that is due to excess of nutrients and silicates.

Can anyone help to point me in the right direction as to which nutrients are in excess, and how to do get rid of excess silicates, or better still prevent excessive silicates? I have a little bit of the leaf which is translucent, which indicates lack of some micro nutrients also, which can be added through Flourish. So want to make sure I add the correct stuff...

thanks!

**bclee** · 1st Feb 2006, 14:17

I was trying to figure out what part of tank was I looking at in the photo until I realised it was 3 plant leaves on the tiled floor...

It does not seem like brown algae to me. As far as I can recall, brown algae usually appears as films that is easily removed by hands. The most effective way to remove this algae is by introduction of fishes like Otocinclus.

This looks like BBA to me, although it is quit difficult to tell from the photo. If it is BBA, you got to look at your CO2 to ensure good level (25-30ppm) and distribution. If CO2 is ok, next look check the NO3 level.

BC

**|squee|** · 1st Feb 2006, 14:36

Removal of silicates can be done through water changes. Just have regular ones, like weekly 50%.

Leaf translucency might not be due to lack of micro nutrients. Check CO2 and availablity of your three macro nutrients namely nitrogen, potassium ,phosphorous. If these are in order (excess is fine, really. excess nitrates and phosphates do not cause algae), check Ca and Mg. Again, excess is fine. Then check micro nutrients.

**stocker** · 1st Feb 2006, 21:39

I'm not sure if it's BBA, because it doesn't look at all "hairy" this one just looks like a brown patch or smear with no appearent "height" This only appears on the parts of Vals and Enchis that are close to the light and on quite old leaves...

thx for advice and help!