Brown Algae

[TurntableJunkie]

So I have a big problem with brown algae in my 47 g tank. Haven't had this problem with my other tanks so not quite sure how to deal. Only 2 pea puffers in it right now. Not sure how to start:confused: :confused:

[Dave66]

I know it's counter-intuitive, but if you add more light to your tank the diatoms, which is what the brown 'algae' is, will gradually fade away.
Reason you have them is you have both silicates and high nitrate or high phosphate in your water. What are you feeding the puffers?
If you want, you can scrape the diatoms from the glass if you want. Diatoms are easily beaten by bright light.

Dave

[digital3]

Dude, just to say... Dave, I don't know when you came back, but MAN, it is great to have you back...

P.S. Sorry for the thread hijack, just really happy!

[TurntableJunkie]

They'll only eat blood worms. Can't really get them to eat much else. We also have been giving them snails once in awhile

[Dave66]

Puffers are pretty messy eaters, so is it possible some escaped them? That would account for the excess nitrate that helped lead you to the land of diatoms.
As far as food, the more crunchy it is the better your puffers will be. Their beak-like 'teeth' never stop growing, and they can grow to the extent the fish can't eat.
A friend of mine uses a cuttlebone (the ones used for birds) secured in the tank for the puffers to gnaw on. Serves to keep the 'beak' at a manageable level.
You could try freeze dried tubifex with them, but be sure to emulsify the tubifex in something nutritious, like Kent Zoe and/or Selcon. The former adds vitamins and Spirulina, the latter marine lipids; long-chain fatty acids.
Also, if you can find them locally, live California black worms should go over a storm, since they wiggle much and are apparently quite tasty. My fish love them.

Dave

[TurntableJunkie]

How bright of a light do I need?? I have a cora life light. It has 2 96w bulbs.

[Dzilber]

get a bushy nose pleco and no more brown algae in the fresh water tank

[fins_n_fur]

How bright of a light do I need?? I have a cora life light. It has 2 96w bulbs.

As Dave66 said (welcome back, Dave!), you just need to run your lights longer than you are now. How long do you run them now?

[angels4lyn]

I have recently been dealing with a brown algae in my 55 gal tank.
I was constantly scrapping it off.
I talked with several people in different pet shops...
all told me there was too much light in my tank (it has a double lighted hood).
they suggested getting a pleco and algae eater. and keeping the lights out.
(but its dark and I cant see my fish then).
well the pleco wont go near it and when the chinese algae eater touched it he pulled away. they dont like it.
so i just continued scraping the walls.
recently I noticed the tails on my longskirt tetras was looking odd.
I was told they most likely had tail rot. I was given a powdered antibiotic to put in their tank.
I did.
well the antibiotic cleared up all the brown algae...its gone. the tank looks so good. but it didnt do anything for the tetras.
but we now believe they only have nipped fins and not tail rot as the stores said it was.
I have angel fish, longskirt tetras, a danio, a lace catfish, 4 corydoras cats, and recently added a pleco and chinese algae eater.
I dont see anyone nipping tails, but they must be doing it at night.

but the brown algae has disappeared from the tank. and that was my biggest concern.

Lyn

[PhilliesFan202]

get a bushy nose pleco and no more brown algae in the fresh water tank

Where do you guys get bristle Nose plec's from do you order them offline or Find them in stores I cannot find them anyhwere around me Im located in Philadelphia

[TorqueWorks]

I ordered them from my LFS.

[PhilliesFan202]

Can Bristle Noses be by them selves or do they need to be in a Group?

[TorqueWorks]

I purchased a pair which is a good idea to do. I have a male and a female. 2 of the same sex could get territorial. Especially the males.