Brown Algae

[kll1221]

I have lots of brown algae again. I have 5 ottos that used to eat it but not anymore. Any way to get them to eat it again? LoL trying to not have to scrub it down

 

[discus4everGrl]

that nasty brown algea that likes to stick to the glass and everything else is usually caused by - to much light. Only keep your lights on 10-12 hours a day max. Make sure your tank is not getting sunlight from a window as well. Check your nitrate levels and let us know what they are and we can prolly help you more.

 

[kll1221]

Nitrates are higher then zero but lower then then next level. Lights are on about 8 hours. Sometimes longer.

 

[Avalon]

You will have to wipe it off until it goes away. An additional 5 otos would help as well. You should figure at least 1 oto per 5g of water for them to be close to efficient.

 

[kll1221]

wow that would be 11 ottos by that rule, wouldn't I be majorly overstocked?

 

[Balloon Fish]

not really, just keep up with your water changes and stuff cause the otos are well worth it and they will keep your tank pretty darn clean of brown algae I think they aren't eating cause they are pretty old or either fed really well, how long have you had them and how big are they? if your feeding algae wafers then stop it for like a week and they should get back to the brown algae. also your way below the fish limit on the 55 gallon so adding the 5 or 6 more otos will still leave you with a little more room assuming that the danios get to like 2inches each

 

[kll1221]

i rarely put the algae wafers in and when I do the cories gobble them up before the otos have a chance.

 

[dss2004]

I have had my oto's for almost a year now, and I have never once fed them anything but algae. They are fat and happy. If you have some brown algae I would definitely cease use of algae wafers and see if you can stimulate their hunger.

 

[discus4everGrl]

if you don't have a planted tank, I would recommend tank buddies algea fizz tabs. It won't fix the cause, but it there is no cause other than the algea spores are just reproducing it may help with wiping out the spores.

 

[Balloon Fish]

brown algae is a really easy algae to get rid of in my experience, all you do is just rub it off...i think its just a temporary problem that dissapear later on so you dont have to worry too much about it...