Is it Algae?

[plocke]

I just noticed a brownish/reddish stain forming on the tops of the leaves of the artificial plants in my tank.  It almost looks like the edges of the leaves are burnt.

I have had the tank up and running about 10 days.  It is a 26 Gallon tank with

4 Serape Tetras
3 Zebra Danio
2 african frogs

The Ammonia levels have been rising but no nitrite yet.  I have a bio-wheel filter.

If it is algae what should I do?  What else could it be?

Thanks.

 

[colesea]

It sounds like agae. If it's not a whole lot, just go in with your hands and fingers and and rub it off the leaves, and keep the light off your tank. If I remember right, you just have artificial decor, so you don't need to have the light on your tank.
~~Colesea

 

[plocke]

Thanks!

I'll try to rub it off tonight.  However, I would prefer to be able to keep the light on as without the light on I can't really see the fish.

Any other thoughts on how to keep the algae under control?  Aren't there certain species of fish that help keep the algae in check?  

Which ones would be able to eat the algae off the plants?

Thanks again.

 

[ronrca]

Most likely algae. There are number of ways to combat algae like minimizing the light (strenght and duration), limiting any nutrients, getting 'algae eaters' (ottos are great, same with sae's and ghost shrimp), etc. Sometimes it comes down to trial and error or guess and test. For example, by getting a timer for your lights and having them turn off when no one is home might be enough to 'hold back' or slow algae growth. It is easier to control algae in a non planted tank imo. Have fun with it and try a few things but be sure to keep a log of what you did. Another thing, when you do change something, first of all only change one thing at a time and secondly, wait for a minimum of 2 weeks before doing anything again. Hope it helps.  *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[plocke]

Sorry I am such a newbie but what are ottos?  sae?

What other fish are they compatible with?  Will they work in my tank as described above?  

Thanks.

 

[colesea]

Oh, I didn't mean keep the light off all the time! Sorry for the miscommunication there. But the light only has to be on for viewing and feedings in a fish-only tank. Unless you're actually going to physically sit in front of you fish tank and watch your fish, why keep the light on to culture algae? So far, I've been going on a year with two of my tanks, not a lick of algea yet becuase I just practice smart light sense.

You could get algae eating fish, unfortunately if you don't have enough algae for these fish to eat, they can starve unless fed the appropriate subsititute diet. Some algae eaters won't even bother with algae if there isn't enough of it in the tank to make it worth the meal.

~~Colesea

 

[koolkatzfish]

Brown algae is very common in a new tank, it often resolves with time. Since the tank has not completed the cycle, do not add more fish.  Once the cycle is done you could add  an oto (otocinclus, dwarf sucker fish, stays about 1" long), they can be a little delicate and are very sensitive to bad water conditions, but are excellent algae eaters.  Or an SAE (true siamese algae eater, gets around 4-5 inches long)  another good cleaner, but make sure it is an siamese algae eater, not chinese or flying fox, both which get aggressive and don't clean as well when they get older.  Or my personal favorite, the bristlenose catfish/pl*co, most species stay around four inches, and they love brown algae, green algae etc.  Stay away from a common pl*co they get too big for your 26 gallon tank.