Reasons For Brown Algae?

[Striker2807]

I just recently started my 45g tank and I know Brown Algae is common for tanks that are just starting out, but I was wondering what causes brown algae to form?

 

[JNevaril]

too much food, too much light.

do you have any direct sunlight hitting your tank? that'll do it too.

i had a brown algae overgrowth in my cichlid tank due to overfeeding.

 

[Striker2807]

I really don't have any of those problems, but it does get a little sunlight and my fish are only feed once a day. So it could be because of them to factors I suppose.

 

[Pure]

Brown algae isn't really an algae per-say it is a diatom. And too much light isn't what causes it. It's a mix of low lighting levels and too many nutrients in the water. Over feeding isn't always the cause of these nutrients. It could be any number of things like phosphates or high nitrates.

 

[JNevaril]

lol.....