Death to algae!
- Thread starter Twinbot
- Start date
Just how many fish do you have in there?
Brown algae is an indicator of poor water quality. Dosing your tank with additives may rid you of your algae but not get to the source of what is causing the problem in the first place.
My guess is you have a higher concentration of nitrates than is desired. Cutting back on feedings, reducing your bioload, regular filter maintenance, adequate surface agitation, and frequent water changes are the best solution.
Brown algae is an indicator of poor water quality. Dosing your tank with additives may rid you of your algae but not get to the source of what is causing the problem in the first place.
My guess is you have a higher concentration of nitrates than is desired. Cutting back on feedings, reducing your bioload, regular filter maintenance, adequate surface agitation, and frequent water changes are the best solution.
There's three yoyo loaches (2" each), three green cories (2" each), two albino cories (1" each), two juli cories (1" each), and two female bettas (2" each).
I actually put filters over the lights to dim. The issue is the algae growing on the plants. It isn't growing on the glass and gravel, and it's actually enhancing the appearance of the drift wood. It's primarily growing on the fake Amazon sword.
Nitrates, ammonia ... everything is perfect (I do a 20% water change every week, and gravel cleaning once per month ... Penguin 170 in fine shape). But, brownish Amazon swords are not appealing. Granted, it takes a month or more for the algae to become a distraction, but I'm not going to buy a live one as I don't particularly like plants. So, back to question ... a simple additive?
I actually put filters over the lights to dim. The issue is the algae growing on the plants. It isn't growing on the glass and gravel, and it's actually enhancing the appearance of the drift wood. It's primarily growing on the fake Amazon sword.
Nitrates, ammonia ... everything is perfect (I do a 20% water change every week, and gravel cleaning once per month ... Penguin 170 in fine shape). But, brownish Amazon swords are not appealing. Granted, it takes a month or more for the algae to become a distraction, but I'm not going to buy a live one as I don't particularly like plants. So, back to question ... a simple additive?
You are on the right track with the otocinclous- I had a brown algae explosion on my anubias a couple of weeks ago and I bought an oto (had been planning to get one anyway). He cleaned it up in a couple of days.... cute little fishies they are too- well worth the investment. Shame you are maxed out tho, (and they are such a small fish)~temptation~temptation~.
Bought two Otos. Damn things are spot-cleaning their way through the tank. I've got little, circular areas that are algae free, slowly expanding, all over the ornaments (I should clean the ornaments off, so they target the plants, but I don't want to lose any bacteria.). Amazing little eaters considering their size (barely 3/4").