Brown Algae

[Starbury03]

What do I do about brown algae in my african tank?
Do i get a pleco or what.

 

[Managuense]

plecos will eat brown algae or "diatoms" , otos also LOVE diatoms, but are not well suited to aggressive cichlid tanks in the least.

dont worry yourself over it, as it is not harmful and is very common in tanks with lower watt lighting. i had severe diatoms in my mbuna tank a few years ago myself.
M

 

[AndyL]

Curious, I know many tanganikan's are algae 'grazers' wouldn't an appropriate addition of the cichlid variety take care of the algae problem?

Then again I don't do africans yet so feel free to tell me I'm an idiot

Andy

 

[Managuense]

you know, that is a good point.

obviously mbuna will take care of a lot of algae, but i dont know about many of the tanganyika species.

i suppose some will partake in the occasional algae snack-- can anyone shed some light?
M

 

[SoulFish]

tropheus and mbuna will graze on algae but they will not keep the glass clean like a pleco will

 

[wayne]

Tropheus are the ultimate hair algae machine, but obviously not your average community algae eater

 

[Brockway]

My tank water finally cleared up after being cloudy for a week or so, and I was greeted with the sight of brown algae on the back. I know my kenyis are supposed to eat algae, but it was pretty caked on there (plus do they eat brown algae?), so I just used half of my magnetic glass cleaner (had to get my arm wet. but oh well). I feed them plenty of spirulinia anyways. BTW, my tank has one of those 30watt flourescent strip lights, and its 29g, so yup, fairly low light.