brown algae?

**reds_21** · 01-31-2010, 10:30 PM

i have posted this thread before but i dont think i ever got a clear answer.

i have very few fish in my tank and the fish i do have mack on algae wafers. i havent been feeding much flake food at all. i notice that my fake plants are getting this brown algae on its leaves. i could understand if i was over feeding my fish but im not, there is never any left over food just floating around.
i have had this problem for quite a while. once i clean my plants/tank everything is fine but it comes back everytime. i do 25-50% water changes every sunday.

what causes this brown algae? i am attaching a picture of it to show you.

**Cliff** · 02-01-2010, 12:33 AM

I had this same problem in my tank. I cleaned off everything as best I could, followed by a 50% water change, cut back the total time the lighting was on, and got my plecos.

There still is a little coming back from time to time but the placos have it under control and I don't notice it unless I look really close. I still give them algue tabs 3 times a week.

From what I found, the key is to control the lighting and ensure your water parameters are in line.

**Cliff** · 02-01-2010, 12:37 AM

Forgot to mention that if you goggle diatoms, you will get a lot of info on were this comes from. I got mine from a few plants I bought

**reds_21** · 02-01-2010, 01:24 AM

thanks for the input, love the saint, i have one as well

anyways, as for the lighting, i mean i have less than adequate lighting for live plants. ive got a 55 gallon tank with (2) 32w t8 lamps in it. doesnt get warm at all. temperatures of the water dont rise due to the additional heat the lamps put off.

algae wafers 3 times a week????? i feed mine a couple tablets at night and in the morning (twice a day). if you look at my signature, you'll see what i have right now in my 55 gallon tank. am i feeding these fish too many tablets per week? i usually drop in 3 wafers each time.

**Cliff** · 02-01-2010, 01:38 AM

I only have a 40W T8 on my tank. This limits my options for plants as it not a lot of light at all. Do you have your lights on a timer or do you turn them on when you get up and turn them off when you go to bed? I have put mine on a timer so the lights are only on for 12 hours each day. The tank will not get any direct sun light which also helps to keep the algae down.

Depending on how big your pleco is, you might be over feeding. My plecos are small, about 2" long. That's why I'm only giving them one tab each three times a week. They are very active cleaning the tank. I'm also trying to feed them veggies but they haven't been eating any of it yet

Try feeding your pleco every second day for a week. He might start eating some more of the algae.

**reds_21** · 02-01-2010, 01:49 AM

as i hope you read, i have 3 otos, 2 rubberlipped plecos and 2 corys that clean the bottom. im just worried that they will starve.

maybe it is the food then.

i usually turn the lights on around 7-8am and turn them off 12 hours later. no timers. they are not in direct sunlight at all. only the 32wt8's provide the light.

i can try cutting back algae wafer feeding but im hesitant. the otos are only 2 days old in my tank and i have read that a lot of hobbyists lose them in the first two weeks, im trying to make sure they have food. i havent seen them eating the brown algae yet

**Cliff** · 02-01-2010, 01:58 AM

My mistake, I keep forgetting that otos are corys can be a little touchy. I've never kept them in any of my tanks for that reason.

I would NOT change your feeding patterns at all.

Do you just feed them algue wafers or do you alternate food types.

It might be worth the time to search the section of the forum that has a lot of differnt info on food. My be there are alternate foods that are good for otos and corys that you could try.

Sorry I haven't been a lot of help.

**reds_21** · 02-01-2010, 02:10 AM

no, your fine. any information is good info :)

i will check the food but besides the wafers, i also feed shrimp pellets for the shark, not sure if any of the other fish are eating them but they are not there come morning.

i will check the food section and see what else i can feed for a nice change............................for now, ill just keep doing the water changes and cleaning the plants

thanks again