Help please!

[Padams2805]

Help i need to stop brown algae from covering my aquarium. I am new to keeping fish and have started to get brown patches spreading very quickly all over the tank. I have cleaned the tank, but it keeps coming back. I have changed the water once a week, but to no avail. I have found a site that said fresh water shrimps could control the algae, but not shore.
Any ideas on how to control this brown algae?
Thanks for your time.
Paul.

[Cliff]

It sounds like diatoms to me. Google diatoms to find a few pics to see if that is in fact what you have

If it is diatoms, extra 50% water changes and manual cleaning will help to control them. They can be common in newer tanks and usally just go away on their own in time

[Tiari]

I am currently battling this very problem in my newly cycled tank! Ugh, its sooooooooooo frustrating!

On some advice I got here, I am trying Kent Phosphate sponge media in a filter bag, and replacing as the instructions say. I just started this two days ago, so have no definitive result yet.

Yes, sounds like diatoms.

[Padams2805]

Thanks for your quick response to my problem. I 'll try changing 50% of the water, as I have only been changing 25% in past. I will also look up about the sponge and wait to hear how it goes with your tank.
Thanks again.
Paul.

[KaylNeko]

Nerite snails love diatoms too. They're not a replacement for the manual and the water changes, but once it starts to die back, they can keep it pretty clean. They're also fun to watch munching on the glass....or maybe that's just me. >.>

[ldoerr]

They're also fun to watch munching on the glass....or maybe that's just me. >.>

It is not just you. I love watching my snails on the glass.

[DylanisHawttt]

Otocinclus' have also been known to mow down diatom algae. Mine was pretty happy with the amount of diatoms I had in my tank for a while. But like Cliff stated, the best thing you can do is consistently keep up on the tank maintenance and do weekly water changes until it dies off on it's own.

[Lady Hobbs]

Just kept cleaning it up with a scrubbie and some paper towel. It will go away in a couple months but annoying while it's here.