Brown algae never stop!

[ching4ever]

Hi guys,

I had started this 2ft high tech planted tank for more than 3 months. Somehow the brown algae never go away like all the planted tank I used to have (4ft and 2ft, both low tech).

Tank: 60cm x 30cm x 30cm
Lighting: Hopar T5 normal output 10000k 14w x 4
Filter: Eheim 2213
CO2: Pressured with solenoid (2bps)
Substrate: Holland sand
Fertlizer: Azoo Root Fertilizer, PMDD

I've read through a lot of article that said brown algae will automatically disappear after the tank stabilized, it does on all my previous tanks but not the current one. I can use finger to rub it off, it is at almost every where of the tank, worst thing is, it covered the moss and made all the moss turned brown and died.

I've rried Otto and SAE, doesn't really help much either. Some said try Yamato shrimp but I'm not sure whether the tank is ready for the shrimp or not (don't want to kill innocent shrimp). Tried planting fast growing plants, Hygrophila difformis and Hygrophila polysperma, both not really doing well either because brown algae was covering their leaf and affect their growth. (Same batch of Hygrophila difformis was put outside in a pot with sun light and water ONLY, the pot is fully grown with it but in the tank with fert, it is like stunted)

According to Tom Barr, brown algae can be cause by high NH4 too, is this real? How do I reduce NH4? How can I know whether the tank is ready for shrimp? What else can I do to get rid of brown algae?

Many thanks for the help.

[Shadow]

are you sure it is brown algae and not BBA? Otos should have eaten it. Any photo?

[torque6]

Actually i love brown algae. Food for algae eaters such as otto. In addition, they are much easier to siphon out as oppose to most other algae form.

[ching4ever]

@Shadow, I'm 100% sure it is brown algae not BBA. Otos should have eaten it but maybe it grow too fast that Oto can't finish it. Somehow I don't think my oto really does his job, I always see him lying there do nothing. Photo just like any of it showed on the internet with brown algae or diatoms searched.

@torque6, It is good if it is controlable but once it is over and cover all over your plants, you'll start to hate it and want to get rid of it!

[illumbomb]

Confirm if it is brown algae or BBA first. If it is brown algae, like what others mentioned, otos shouls do the job. Add 1 more oto or maybe a few nerite snails which can help to combat brown algae too.

[ching4ever]

I'm pretty sure it is brown algae aka diatoms not BBA because I had a 4ft gold fish tank outdoor that have brown algae, BBA in it. It is very easily to tell whether it is brown algae or BBA. Will try putting in more algae eater, my otos doesn't really seem eating the brown algae, thinking to get CAE and yamato shrimp.

[illumbomb]

I believe brown algae is out of SAE's and yamato's menu. Try nerite snail then.

[sandeepraghuvanshi]

Your signature says lights are form 8 pm to 2 am.
Does it mean that you are putting lights on in night ??.
Plants do need dark periods to rest.
What other fish do you have.

[ching4ever]

My tank PH kinda low, around 6.0 all the time, will nerite snail able to survive under such low PH environment?

I cover the tank with black paper during day time. Only some neon tetra in the tanks.

[PeterGwee]

Siphon the algae off the leaves if possible and if not, trim it off. Clean the filter more often and to maintain the amount of consistent flow. PMDD does not have PO4? It is a necessary nutrient for the plants. Focus on what makes plants grow and do the necessary maintenance as well like filter cleaning and etc.

Regards,
Peter Gwee