Brown Algea

[j0hnh0lmes]

10g
4 Live Bearers
4 Zebra Danio
2 Otto Cats
2 Dwarf Frogs..

I had a problem with Green Algea so I got the Otto Cats, they are taking care of that, but now I'm starting to see Brown algea in my gravel in some places and on my fake plant....and even inside the tube for my undergravel


I also Have a 150B(I think it's a b) Penguin filter with Bio-wheel...

Why aren't my otto's eating the brown algea?

I was thinking of getting some algea killer but that would leave my otto's with nothing to eat... and for some reason they won't touch the algea disks I put in, I always end up cleaning it out after the Danio pick it to all hell.

[salman]

I have the same exact problem.. My ottos aren't eating the brown stuff too. I think only pleco's do, im going to do a water change and try to vacuum it all..

[j0hnh0lmes]

yea but I can't get plecos in my sized tank :confused:

[Incredulous_Ed]

I had a pleco and he seemed to control brown algae fair enough. Brown algae is present is new tnks usually. How old is your tank?

[j0hnh0lmes]

Fairly new...about 2 months I think....more or less

[Zerileous]

just wait it out, keep your water clean to avoid letting it get nutes. diatoms are fairly common and they will bloom then likely go away over time. i thought otos would eat them, but i guess not.

if it gets really out of hand try a blackout or maybe amano shrimp.

just my humble opinion but stay away from the algae killing chemicals. its much better to avoid chemicals because the bloom might just come right back if the causes are not dealt with.

[gm72]

Just remember that sometimes what you see in the filter intake tubes is not algae but just a build-up of beneficial bacteria and miscellaneous gunk.

[MeganL3985]

My 5 gal has 0 green algae, so mine must be living off the brown algae and food particles off the bottom. I dunno what else they would be eating. lol

[rsretep]

yes i had the same problem with brown algae and read that this is temporary and a symptom of a new tank however before i read that info i went and bought two golden algae eaters and within three days they had completely cleaned my 40 breeder....those two are amazing at algae control..it was great fun watching them annihilate this brown stuff....not a speck of it around today....they now are healthy and feasting on the other forms of algae in the tank...

[rsretep]

i should also add that these algae eaters are supplemented with algae wafers and occasionally zucchini (which i cut in quarters and anchor with plant weights to keep in on the bottom) they seem to enjoy it and so do my other occupants:c12: :c12: