Brown algae on hairgrass

**Cross** · 24th Jul 2009, 11:33

Had a recent bloom of brown algae that seem to only manifest my hairgrass. Verified the problem due to a dead fish trapped out of sight

. Its the stubborn kind that forms a cover on tip of hairgrass gradually spreading downwards.

Would like to know if there is any way to remove this algae. Only seems to come off only with scraping. Is trimming the only way to remove it?

**StanChung** · 26th Jul 2009, 13:15

Trimming seems to be the best way. Get some otocinclus to help keep it in check.

**Cross** · 26th Jul 2009, 16:03

Originally Posted by StanChung

Trimming seems to be the best way. Get some otocinclus to help keep it in check.

Hmm looks like its time for another snipping session. My otos getting fat from snatching shrimp food

think its too lazy to squeeze on thin hairgrass. Thanks anyway

**seanskye** · 26th Jul 2009, 16:41

I had the same problem on my new hairgrass foreground recently, and my otos were not interested in them. Got some small SAEs (not CAEs) and corys and they managed to keep the algae under control. Need to feed less to encourage them to eat though.

**Cross** · 26th Jul 2009, 17:14

Originally Posted by seanskye

I had the same problem on my new hairgrass foreground recently, and my otos were not interested in them. Got some small SAEs (not CAEs) and corys and they managed to keep the algae under control. Need to feed less to encourage them to eat though.

I never once put food in the tank with the thought of feeding them

Guess will transfer them out for a few days and let them fast

**nicken** · 14th Aug 2009, 14:48

Hi i'm having this brown algae on my hair grass too.
my tank have been running for 2 weeks , no fishes or shrimps in tank yet.

lighting time 6 hrs , co2 1 Bubble per sec.
amazon II soil.

anyone can share what causes the algae bloom ?

**Cross** · 14th Aug 2009, 17:48

Originally Posted by nicken

Hi i'm having this brown algae on my hair grass too.
my tank have been running for 2 weeks , no fishes or shrimps in tank yet.

lighting time 6 hrs , co2 1 Bubble per sec.
amazon II soil.

anyone can share what causes the algae bloom ?

For new startups, its common for brown algae due to high levels of nitrates as tank has not completed its cycling process. Carry out more water changes, do manual removal and introduce amano shrimps or otos. it would take weeks for it to disappear depending on how large your tank is. Lighting does not affect brown algae.

**nicken** · 14th Aug 2009, 20:23

Originally Posted by Cross

For new startups, its common for brown algae due to high levels of nitrates as tank has not completed its cycling process. Carry out more water changes, do manual removal and introduce amano shrimps or otos. it would take weeks for it to disappear depending on how large your tank is. Lighting does not affect brown algae.

HI ,

just curious , i have not intro any life stock into the tank , how can nitrates level be so high?
does introducing carbon charcoal helps to absorb the high nitrates ?
my tank is 1 foot nano, hopefully the algae will go away soon

**edmund77** · 14th Aug 2009, 22:05

sorry to ask,just curious another name for amano shrimp is what?

**Cross** · 14th Aug 2009, 22:07

What soil are you using? aquasoil do contain some ammonia compound to kick start your tank cycling the end product is nitrates. If you want to absorb nitrates can look at frogbits.