algae taking over new tank - Aquarium Advice

nisi · 08-27-2008, 05:26 PM

I have a new 5gal tank and I'm starting to see quite a bit of algae. It's brown and it grows in patches on the tank walls and both the live plant and the fake plants, and it's growing fast. It looks terrible. Anything I can do about it, other than try to keep up with scraping it off?

Tank is 5 gal hex tank, fishless cycled and stocked 2-3 weeks ago with 2 guppies and 4-5 stems of anacharis. Lighting is one 10W/6500K compact florescent bulb, on about 10-11hrs/day. I've been testing regularly since I stocked-- ammonia has been 0 save one jump up to .25 which could have been a testing error, nitrites always 0, and nitrates haven't gone over 5. Weekly ~40% PWCs. If I left out any important details let me know.

TIA

**Purrbox** · 08-27-2008, 05:30 PM

Sounds like Diatoms. While unsightly, it's very common in new tanks and generally goes away on it's own after 2-4 weeks.

Fathomed · 08-28-2008, 04:58 AM

Would certains snails and catfish eat that stuff? I don't really know too much about aquariums, just started. Although I do think most algae related stuff is solved with algae eaters.

MichaelsLilGray · 08-28-2008, 05:12 AM

i think i heard ottos eat it.. i know 3 people at least on here have the exact fish you could put in for that... i cant remember for the life of me lol

meegosh · 08-28-2008, 10:28 AM

I experienced this in my 30g but after a few months it has all disappeared. Once it got to the point where it bothered me I would take the plants and decor out, scrub them with an unused toothbrush a rinse them with water. As far as the diatoms on the glass just use your mag-float or algae scraper.

**Purrbox** · 08-28-2008, 12:23 PM

While otos will eat diatoms, I wouldn't recommend buying a fish to fix a specific problem unless you actually want to have that fish after the problem is fixed. They will need to have their diet supplemented once the diatoms are no longer a problem.

nisi · 08-28-2008, 02:39 PM

After reading a bit about diatoms I'm almost certain that's what it is. I guess I'll keep scraping it off until it goes away. It doesn't make much sense to add a fish to solve a problem that will clear up on its own given a little time. Thanks for the help!

08-27-2008, 05:26 PM	#1
nisi Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 23	algae taking over new tank I have a new 5gal tank and I'm starting to see quite a bit of algae. It's brown and it grows in patches on the tank walls and both the live plant and the fake plants, and it's growing fast. It looks terrible. Anything I can do about it, other than try to keep up with scraping it off? Tank is 5 gal hex tank, fishless cycled and stocked 2-3 weeks ago with 2 guppies and 4-5 stems of anacharis. Lighting is one 10W/6500K compact florescent bulb, on about 10-11hrs/day. I've been testing regularly since I stocked-- ammonia has been 0 save one jump up to .25 which could have been a testing error, nitrites always 0, and nitrates haven't gone over 5. Weekly ~40% PWCs. If I left out any important details let me know. TIA __________________ "You're going to be like that crazy cat lady, but with fish." -my husband

08-27-2008, 05:30 PM	#2
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,381	Sounds like Diatoms. While unsightly, it's very common in new tanks and generally goes away on it's own after 2-4 weeks. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

08-28-2008, 10:28 AM	#5
meegosh Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 432 Images: 2	I experienced this in my 30g but after a few months it has all disappeared. Once it got to the point where it bothered me I would take the plants and decor out, scrub them with an unused toothbrush a rinse them with water. As far as the diatoms on the glass just use your mag-float or algae scraper. __________________ 10g - 13 Guppy Fry \| Plants: Java Moss & Amazon Swords 30g Long - 6 Neons, 5 Diamonds, 4 Peppered & 2 Albino Corys, 1M/2F Guppies, 1 Upside-down Catfish

08-28-2008, 12:23 PM	#6
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,381	While otos will eat diatoms, I wouldn't recommend buying a fish to fix a specific problem unless you actually want to have that fish after the problem is fixed. They will need to have their diet supplemented once the diatoms are no longer a problem. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

08-28-2008, 02:39 PM	#7
nisi Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 23	After reading a bit about diatoms I'm almost certain that's what it is. I guess I'll keep scraping it off until it goes away. It doesn't make much sense to add a fish to solve a problem that will clear up on its own given a little time. Thanks for the help! __________________ "You're going to be like that crazy cat lady, but with fish." -my husband

08-28-2008, 04:58 AM	#3
Fathomed Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Edmonton Posts: 49	Would certains snails and catfish eat that stuff? I don't really know too much about aquariums, just started. Although I do think most algae related stuff is solved with algae eaters.

08-28-2008, 05:12 AM	#4
MichaelsLilGray Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 235 Images: 5	i think i heard ottos eat it.. i know 3 people at least on here have the exact fish you could put in for that... i cant remember for the life of me lol

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode