Brown Aquarium Algae....Help me!

[Water]

I have Brown Aquarium Algae growing in my 55gal tank and I've had this before in my 10gal but before I could solve that problem I upgraded to a 55gal cichlid tank which now has it and has been going on for more than 6 months.I have 12 fish in my tank and none of a big yet they all still have some growing to do and I have Brown Aquarium Algae growing on my rocks and fake plants.I've been working on this problem all summer long and I've spent money trying to fix the problem,a new fluval canister filter with Seachem PhosGuard for Freshwater & Saltwater and Barley straw along with another canister filter for my bio and everything, which seemed to work for the past two months but it is slowy returning.
And yes I do weekly water changes,I've cut down on how long the light is on and I try not to over feed them

I just don't know what else to do,it doesn't harm the fish but it's grows and grows.

any help would be appreciated....

 

[upside-down catfish]

Brown algae usually grows in tanks with not-so-great water quality, but getting an otocinclus will help. they especially like to eat brown algae, but if the algae runs out, you may need to feed the otos algae pellets/wafers.

 

[upside-down catfish]

the Otocincluses should at the very least keep the algae in check. i would suggest buying three.

 

[FreshyFresh]

What type of lighting do you have on this tank and how long do you leave it on? Depending on your setup, 6-8hrs/day is all you want your lights on, or algae can take over.

 

[Water]

I have chrystal clear water and the type of lighting I'm using is a T5 lighting when I have on from 11am-2pm and then back on from 4pm-8pm.
Otocincluses,Ok but do you think my Cichlids would be kind to it? I would hate to get another fish and my cichlids just rip it apart.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I'm assuming this is a 48" twin-tube T5 fixture on this 55g?

That's a lot of light on a 55g unless you've got live plants to soak up the intensity.

FWIW, I've got a twin-tube 48" T5HO on my 55g, with floating wisteria and water sprite, plus a bunch of plants on the bottom. I still get some brown algae build-up over time.

 

[Water]

I'm assuming this is a 48" twin-tube T5 fixture on this 55g?

That's a lot of light on a 55g unless you've got live plants to soak up the intensity.

FWIW, I've got a twin-tube 48" T5HO on my 55g, with floating wisteria and water sprite, plus a bunch of plants on the bottom. I still get some brown algae build-up over time.

I was thinking it might be the lighting too but Ill see about going back to my old lighting or possibly swopping out bulbs for something less than a t5.

 

[Water]

Is there a way to buy sometype of adapter to make a t5 light work with an LED?

I hope I'm saying it right,I see there are one for a t8 to t5 or is there anything I can do besides taking one of the bulbs out(wont turn on)to lessen the lights?

 

[FreshyFresh]

Is there a way to buy sometype of adapter to make a t5 light work with an LED?

I hope I'm saying it right,I see there are one for a t8 to t5 or is there anything I can do besides taking one of the bulbs out(wont turn on)to lessen the lights?

I think I've seen supposed direct swap, tube shaped LED that supposedly pop right into T5 or T8 fluorescent fixtures (on eBay), but I've not heard/seen anyone in the aquarium hobby that use them.

Regardless, if this 55g cichlid tank doesn't contain live plants, all you need is an inexpensive fixture intended for general purpose, display lighting. I'd shop Aquatraders, Amazon, eBay, etc. and mail order an inexpensive 48" LED. You could get something for ~$40 shipped to your door. Even a $20 T12 shop light would be more than enough lighting. Lowes carries daylight 6500K 48" T12s even.