brown algae on few month old tank

[stx2006]

On my 30 gallon tank I have noticed some brown algae growing on the glass and the live plants.

What is causing this? I've seen mixed reviews on how to stop it and get rid of it...

Some people say to leave the light on longer.. Some say turn it off sooner...

I know I didn't have this problem until my hood light stopped working and I was wanting on a new one to show up in the mail cause petco or petsmart didn't have my size....

[Cermet]

If a new aquarium and it is diatoms, just wipe off as it grows - will clear up in a few weeks/month or so. If true algae, than lights on too long or an nutrient imbalance (if using ferts) or too much waste food or high nitrates all can be issues.

[stx2006]

If a new aquarium and it is diatoms, just wipe off as it grows - will clear up in a few weeks/month or so. If true algae, than lights on too long or an nutrient imbalance (if using ferts) or too much waste food or high nitrates all can be issues.

How long should the lights stay on for?

Here's my reading I just took from the tank.

NO2: 0
NO3: 80
PH: 7.0

I did wipe it off the tank but it's on almost every live plant in the tank.

[Cermet]

Light duration is determined by the plant type and light intenisty but in gerenal, 6 hours to 8 hours.

Your nitrates are far, far too high. It should be under 20 and ideally under 10 ppm. You need to clean off as much algae as possible, do a 90%+ water change and besure the nitrates don't climb above 20 ppm. You need to up your weekly water changes and/or cut back on food for the fish (may be an issue and maybe not.) Does sound like a cyanobacteria growth more than algae. Do you uses ferts for the plants? CO2 (injected or liquid) can kill cyanobacteria.

[stx2006]

Light duration is determined by the plant type and light intenisty but in gerenal, 6 hours to 8 hours.

Your nitrates are far, far too high. It should be under 20 and ideally under 10 ppm. You need to clean off as much algae as possible, do a 90%+ water change and besure the nitrates don't climb above 20 ppm. You need to up your weekly water changes and/or cut back on food for the fish (may be an issue and maybe not.) Does sound like a cyanobacteria growth more than algae. Do you uses ferts for the plants? CO2 (injected or liquid) can kill cyanobacteria.

Thanks. The light is on for about 8 hours a day...

I just started a fert for the plants over the weekend. Had the algae before that though. It's a liquid fert.

I feed the fish in the morning and its not a lot. If they dont eat it all while I'm there I cut it back. They do a good job of cleaning it up and the snail gets what they dont.

I'll be sure to do a 90% water change!

[Lady Hobbs]

You need to do weekly water changes and don't be afraid of doing large ones. You also need to vac the gravel and keep the filter media rinsed out every couple of weeks.