How to get rid of Brown Algae?

[libra04ts]

Hi,

I would like to seek advice on how to get rid of brown algae. Have been getting brown algae, is it due to my filter? or any other stuff?

Thanks for your help.

[KWL]

get some otos, otos normally eat brown algae or diotome. I'm assuming you are talking about diotome. Algae photos would be help

[Cross]

Phosphates should be high. Do more water change/reduce feeding should go off by itself.

[Navanod]

I thought brown algae are the result of available silicates?
Of course, nitrate and phosphates too, but you shouldn't limit those if you have other plants able to use them.

There were some theory that if the phosphate levels are high enough in ratio to the silica, green algae will out-compete the brown and you'll have no brown algae! But now you'll have another problem on your hand...

[kenkenstomp]

Green algae is good for goldfish. However, brown algae is not truly an algae. In fact, when I went to see how a very experienced goldfish hobbyist (who has won many award) keeps his fishes, all his tanks have green algae. So, no need to paste poster at the back of tanks anymore because the green algae acts like a natural poster picture and a natural ever-ready food for fish.


But, like threadstarter, I got brown algae instead. From searching around for advice, it then dawned on me that my lighting was not sufficient. Back then, I was not using T5 lighting (4 lamps X 54W).

However, after changing to T5 lighting (4 lamps X 54W) for my 4ft tank, I still continue to get brown algae. After getting more advice and more info, I concluded that I should leave the brown algae alone while scrubbing just the front side of tank (for viewing my fish) and there's a chance green algae will take over the brown algae.

This is today's shot of my tank :


About 3 weeks after I got brown algae



As you can see, the battle of green algae vs brown algae is still taking place.

But I must say it's a joy to see my fishes nibbling at the green algae even though I feed them every 1 to 1.5hrs.

[kenkenstomp]

In my other tank (2ft tank), instead of using clear water, I now use Green Water (supposed to be good for goldfish if it's not too green) :




This is a new experiment by me. Purpose is to help green algae win the battle against brown algae. Alsop, green looks better than brown in my opinion.

[Shadow]

green or brown, both does not look nice

[kenkenstomp]

There are differences between novice and experienced fishkeepers, one of which is the grasp of the art of fish appreciation.

IMHO, a tank that is perfect for show purposes is usually not ideal for fish grooming purposes. Then again, not everyone is into fish grooming.

That means one can have a show tank that may be cleared of algae and a fish grooming tank with algae in it. Or, just have one tank and it's one's own choice whether to have algae or not in that tank.

[KWL]

just have one tank and it's one's own choice whether to have algae or not in that tank.

I thought you want to get rid of algae that why starting the thread?

[kenkenstomp]

I thought you want to get rid of algae that why starting the thread?

I'm not threadstarter.

My reply is to encourage green algae to replace brown algae since green algae looks nicer while a good natural food for fish.

[Shadow]

for brown algae you can easily clean it either manually or put couple of otos inside, assuming your algae look like the one on kenkenstomp 1st photo. Green water on the other hand is more tricky. You cannot just change water to get rid of it, it always come back.

Green water is good for goldfish, not sure for other fish but it definitely not good for planted tank and aquascaping

[kenkenstomp]

for brown algae you can easily clean it either manually or put couple of otos inside, assuming your algae look like the one on kenkenstomp 1st photo. Green water on the other hand is more tricky. You cannot just change water to get rid of it, it always come back.

Green water is good for goldfish, not sure for other fish but it definitely not good for planted tank and aquascaping

I use UV Steriliser in all my tanks except the ones I designated to contain green water.

In fact, I have 2 clear-water setups outside at my balcony receiving a few hours of direct sunlight every day. These clear-water tanks never have green water problem because I use UV Steriliser in those tanks.




2ft tank




150-180L black-color fibreglass tank



I like pictures. So, hope you guys won't mind.

[Shadow]

yes for green water either you do black out or UV

[StanChung]

I wonder if the threadstarter is commenting about a planted tank or a fish tank?
Both have different objectives.

[Blue Whale]

Stan, I believe the thread owner is more interested in Planted tank with beautiful Discus swimming heartily around the planted tank.

UV is not a good equipment since some of the plant nutrients will be eliminated during the "cleaning" process. UV just correct what you do wrongly.

If you ask me gold fish do better in planted tank or plain fish tank; My answer would be planted tank...definitely, plus stamp, plus chop.

Thread owner, maybe you could share how you dose the plant nutrient on NPK, how much, how frequent. Information on filter brand/model and feeding habit, these will help to troubleshoot your current predicament better.

[Shadow]

if not mistaken, UV will oxidise iron into something that un usable by plant. How true? not a clue , must ask those chemistry people

[kenkenstomp]

...
If you ask me gold fish do better in planted tank or plain fish tank; My answer would be planted tank...definitely, plus stamp, plus chop.
...

But, I think most (if not all) experienced goldfish keepers don't use planted tank for goldfish. Rather, green algae is encouraged. Unless green algae is counted as planted.

[stormhawk]

Algae is not a problem if you are not perturbed by it.

I want brown algae to grow but it never does. Instead I get hair algae and the occasional BGA attacks.

Where goldfish is concerned, having the green algae that grows on the tank sides might be good, but definitely not green water. Think in terms of a pond. Usually when the pond turns green with algae (green water), if there is insufficient aeration, the goldfish eventually die of asphyxiation as the algae blooms. So too much algae is not a good thing.

[Shadow]

gold fish probably will eat all the fish

[stormhawk]

Hahaha, basically anything that can fit into their mouth = food.